A Peat-Producing Empetrum Heath in Coastal North Norway

Edvardsen, H.; Elvebakk, A.; Ovstedal, D. O.; Prosch-Danielsen, L.; Schwenke, J. T.; Sveistrup, T.

doi:10.2307/1551262

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A thick layer of Empetrum ‐derived peat may accumulate where there are dense mats of this species, improving the soil moisture‐holding capacity (Edvardsen et al. ; Williams ), but also contributing to the accumulation of allelochemicals and reducing the availability of nitrogen and phosphorus (Eskelinen ). Empetrum may also have positive effects on some co‐occurring species, ameliorating microclimate conditions (by e.g.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a result, Empetrum reduces seedling germination and survival in many co-occurring species (Nilsson & Zackrisson 1992), and is associated with lowered vascular species richness (Aerts 2010). A thick layer of Empetrum-derived peat may accumulate where there are dense mats of this species, improving the soil moisture-holding capacity (Edvardsen et al 1988;Williams 1988), but also contributing to the accumulation of allelochemicals and reducing the availability of nitrogen and phosphorus (Eskelinen 2010). Empetrum may also have positive effects on some co-occurring species, ameliorating microclimate conditions (by e.g.…”

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Outcomes of biotic interactions are dependent on multiple environmental variables

Mod

Roux

Luoto

2014

J Vegetation Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Question: Can variation in the outcome of biotic interactions in relation to environmental severity be more accurately predicted when considering multiple stress and/or disturbance variables?Location: Arctic-alpine tundra in Kilpisjärvi, North-Finland. Methods:To test the impact of including multiple environmental variables in analyses of the outcomes of biotic interactions, we modelled reproductive effort and cover of 17 arctic-alpine species as a function of Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum cover, geomorphological disturbance and soil moisture with statistical interactions of the explanatory variables included. We implemented a best-subset approach using generalised linear models (GLM) and selected the best model for each species based on Akaike's information criteria (AIC).Results: For the majority of species, models including multiple environmental variables were selected as best. Reproductive effort depended on one or both environmental variables for all species and 14 species were additionally influenced by Empetrum, with the impact of Empetrum varying with abiotic conditions in all but one of those species. Moreover, the 3-way interaction of three explanatory variables was included in the best-fit models for six species. The impact of Empetrum on species cover showed a similar pattern, with 11 species affected by Empetrum and its statistical interactions with one or both abiotic variables. Conclusions

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

Outcomes of biotic interactions are dependent on multiple environmental variables

Mod

Roux

Luoto

2014

J Vegetation Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The oceanic lowland may constitute only a narrow strip of land between the mountains and the sea, and is characterized by a relative long growing season. In this lowland, crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), heather (Calluna vulgaris), and dwarf cornel (Cornus suecica) heaths are common at exposed sites (Edvardsen et al, 1988;Fremstad, 1997;Karlsen et al, 2005;Oksanen and Virtanen, 1995). Deciduous birch (Betula pubescens) forests dominate in more protected parts (e.g.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

MODIS-NDVI-based mapping of the length of the growing season in northern Fennoscandia

Karlsen

Tolvanen²,

Kubin³

et al. 2008

International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinfor

109

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Accordingly, fire can directly physically eliminate a significant number of Empetrum plants. Empetrum-dominated environments are associated with humus build up, low pH and low productivity (Edvardsen et al 1988;Elvebakk & Spjelkavik 1995). Fire may however elevate soil pH (Raison 1979), reduce the depth of the humus layer (Schimmel & Granstrom 1996;Wardle et al 2003a) and, through sorptive properties of wood charcoal, reduce the allelopathic effects of the phenolic compounds (Nilsson 1994;Zackrisson et al 1996;Wardle et al 1998b;Keech et al 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecosystem disturbance reduces the allelopathic effects of Empetrum hermaphroditum humus on tundra plants

Bråthen

Fodstad

Gallet

2010

Journal of Vegetation Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Question: Do naturally occurring ecosystem disturbances interfere with allelopathic effects and alleviate growing conditions for plants typical of more productive ecosystem states? Location: An unproductive tundra ecosystem in Northern Fennoscandia. Methods: We designed a factorial phytotron experiment to monitor the growth of seedlings of two herbaceous species in undisturbed and disturbed humus of the dominant dwarf shrub Empetrum hermaphroditum, which releases allelopathic substances that accumulate in soil over time. Herbivore defecation and wildfire are two major ecosystem disturbances likely to alleviate effects of these allelopathic substances. Humus and seeds of herbaceous species were sampled from Empetrum‐dominated heaths. Disturbance effects on humus were simulated by adding reindeer faeces and by low‐severity burning. Results: The concentration of the allelopathic substance batatasin‐III in Empetrum humus was 0.32±0.16 (SE) μg g−1, which is similar to previous reports from boreal areas. Reindeer faeces addition and burning treatments to Empetrum humus caused three‐ and five‐fold increases in growth of the herbaceous species Avenella flexuosa and Solidago virgaurea respectively. Changes in soil chemistry caused by the disturbance, i.e. increased pH and nutrient availability, likely interfered with allelopathic effects and improved conditions for growth. Conclusions: Humus from Empetrum‐dominated tundra areas is infertile for seedlings of local herbaceous plants. Simulated herbivore defecation and wildfire can alleviate this infertility. Based on our results, we discuss the potential role of these naturally occurring disturbances in switching vegetation composition from Empetrum to herbaceous dominance, i.e. from an unproductive to a more productive tundra ecosystem.

show abstract

A Peat-Producing Empetrum Heath in Coastal North Norway

Cited by 11 publications

References 0 publications

Outcomes of biotic interactions are dependent on multiple environmental variables

Outcomes of biotic interactions are dependent on multiple environmental variables

MODIS-NDVI-based mapping of the length of the growing season in northern Fennoscandia

Ecosystem disturbance reduces the allelopathic effects of Empetrum hermaphroditum humus on tundra plants

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About