Dryas Octopetala L.

Elkington, T. T.

doi:10.2307/2258146

Cited by 49 publications

(23 citation statements)

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“…Necessarily, ecosystem engineer species must be present to play a dominant role for the paraglacial transition described in our model. The distribution of the ecosystem engineer D. octopetala described in this article is circumpolar; however, it is limited to calcareous substrates (Elkington, ). Yet it was suggested that species with similar plant traits, such as dwarf willows ( Salix spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

From active to stable: Paraglacial transition of Alpine lateral moraine slopes

2018

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Many retreating Alpine valley glaciers leave large lateral moraines behind. Reworking of these landforms by geomorphic processes is one of the most important paraglacial processes in many Alpine environments. Although several studies investigated moraine reworking by gullying processes, it is not well known what happens when gullying ceases and why and when lateral moraine slopes become stable. This study improves the understanding of the paraglacial transition from active to stable Alpine lateral moraine slopes by assessing potential influencing factors, indicators for completed paraglacial adjustment, and its spatiotemporal patterns using a combination of geomorphic and ecologic data. A geomorphic and ecologic permanent plot survey and geomorphic mapping were carried out on three lateral moraine complexes in the Turtmann glacier foreland (Switzerland). Subsequently, permanent plot data were analysed using multivariate statistics. Our study suggests that ecosystem engineering by colonizing plant species, slope geomorphometry, and material properties are important factors influencing the paraglacial transition from active to stable slopes. Geomorphic processes are often absent once vertical vegetation layers and soil horizons develop, showing that mature vegetation and advanced soil development are valuable indicators for slope stability and completed paraglacial adjustment. In a conceptual model, we describe the paraglacial transition of Alpine lateral moraine slopes as a temporal sequence in which gullying (Stage I), solifluction (Stage II), and finally stabilization (Stage III) follow one after another. In space, paraglacial adjustment is heterogeneous, and resulting patterns can be explained by the identified influencing factors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

From active to stable: Paraglacial transition of Alpine lateral moraine slopes

2018

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“…The obtained results correspond with the existing knowledge that D . octopetala is a mostly sexually reproducing, predominantly outcrossing, wind‐dispersed, long‐lived species, that forms large and stable populations in late successional stages (Elkington, 1971; McGraw, 1987; Molau, 1993; Wookey et al, 1995). Most of these factors promote high genetic variation within groups and corresponding low genetic divergence between populations (Hamrick and Godt, 1989, 1996).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This long‐lived habit might cause the evolutionary rates to be slower in Dryas than in herbaceous arctic‐alpine plants, which to a high degree are affected by and are a result of allopolyploid evolution, and thus have higher evolutionary rates (Brochmann et al, 2004; Brochmann and Brysting, 2008). Dryas octopetala is a mainly outcrossing species with insect‐pollinated flowers and wind‐dispersed fruits (Elkington, 1971; McGraw, 1987; Molau, 1993). However, the plant also has the potential to spread laterally by vegetative ramets (Wookey et al, 1995).…”

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confidence: 99%

Microsatellite markers show decreasing diversity but unchanged level of clonality inDryas octopetala(Rosaceae) with increasing latitude

Vik¹,

Jørgensen²,

Kauserud³

et al. 2010

American J of Botany

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“…Similarly, the relation of advanced ecosystem development (fine grain sizes, highest organic soil horizon depth and highest species numbers) to the dwarf shrub vegetation class ( Figure 4A) could also be explained by Dryas octopetala's traits. Through humus accumulation, trapping of seeds and organic matter, nitrogen fixation and stabilization of the moving debris (Elkington, 1971), D. octopetala facilitates colonization for other species, e.g. Leontopodium alpinum CASS.…”

Section: Alpine Ecosystem Engineer Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conditions for feedbacks between geomorphic and vegetation dynamics on lateral moraine slopes: a biogeomorphic feedback window

Eichel

Corenblit

Dikau

2015

Earth Surf Processes Landf

124

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Little Ice Age lateral moraines represent one of the most important sediment storages and dynamic areas in glacier forelands. Following glacier retreat, simultaneous paraglacial adjustment and vegetation succession affect the moraine slopes. Geomorphic processes (e.g. debris flows, interrill erosion, gullying, solifluction) disturb and limit vegetation development, while increasing vegetation cover decreases geomorphic activity. Thus, feedbacks between geomorphic and vegetation dynamics strongly control moraine slope development. However, the conditions under which these biogeomorphic feedbacks can occur are insufficiently understood and major knowledge gaps remain. This study determines feedback conditions through the analysis of geomorphic and vegetation data from permanent plots in the Turtmann glacier foreland, Switzerland. Results from multivariate statistical analysis (i) confirm that Dryas octopetala L. is an alpine ecosystem engineer species which influences geomorphic processes on lateral moraines and thereby controls ecosystem structure and function, and (ii) demonstrate that biogeomorphic feedbacks can occur once geomorphic activity sufficiently decreases for D. octopetala to establish and cross a cover threshold. In the subsequent ecosystem engineering process, the dominant geomorphic processes change from flow and slide to bound solifluction. Increasing slope stabilization induces a decline in biogeomorphic feedbacks and the suppression of D. octopetala by shrubs. We conceptualize this relationship between process magnitude, frequency and species resilience and resistance to disturbances in a 'biogeomorphic feedback window' concept. Our approach enhances the understanding of feedbacks between geomorphic and alpine vegetation dynamics on lateral moraine slopes and highlights the importance of integrating geomorphic and ecological approaches for biogeomorphic research.

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Dryas Octopetala L.

Cited by 49 publications

References 0 publications

From active to stable: Paraglacial transition of Alpine lateral moraine slopes

From active to stable: Paraglacial transition of Alpine lateral moraine slopes

Microsatellite markers show decreasing diversity but unchanged level of clonality inDryas octopetala(Rosaceae) with increasing latitude

Conditions for feedbacks between geomorphic and vegetation dynamics on lateral moraine slopes: a biogeomorphic feedback window

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