High Arctic vegetation after 70 years: a repeated analysis from Svalbard

Prach, Karel; Košnar, Jiří; Klimešová, Jitka; Hais, Martin

doi:10.1007/s00300-009-0739-6

Cited by 48 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The results from warming experiments indicate also that we might expect an overall decrease in local species richness following increased temperatures in the alpine/Arctic regions (Walker et al 2006). However, while warming experiments, observations and remote sensing have recorded increased plant growth in many areas, several studies have shown relative stability in other areas over recent decades (Prach et al 2010;Callaghan et al 2011b;Daniëls and de Molenaar 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Changes Versus Homeostasis in Alpine and Sub-Alpine Vegetation Over Three Decades in the Sub-Arctic

Hedenås

Carlsson

Emanuelsson³

et al. 2012

AMBIO

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Plant species distributions are expected to shift and diversity is expected to decline as a result of global climate change, particularly in the Arctic where climate warming is amplified. We have recorded the changes in richness and abundance of vascular plants at Abisko, subArctic Sweden, by re-sampling five studies consisting of seven datasets; one in the mountain birch forest and six at open sites. The oldest study was initiated in 1977-1979 and the latest in 1992. Total species number increased at all sites except for the birch forest site where richness decreased. We found no general pattern in how composition of vascular plants has changed over time. Three species, Calamagrostis lapponica, Carex vaginata and Salix reticulata, showed an overall increase in cover/frequency, while two Equisetum taxa decreased. Instead, we showed that the magnitude and direction of changes in species richness and composition differ among sites.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Changes Versus Homeostasis in Alpine and Sub-Alpine Vegetation Over Three Decades in the Sub-Arctic

Hedenås

Carlsson

Emanuelsson³

et al. 2012

AMBIO

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“…Average annual temper− ature is about −6.5°C, with mean July temperatures of 5-6°C, although recently above 7°C . Five vegetation types were classified for the area of Petuniabukta by Prach et al (2010). These types are listed in Table 1.…”

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Samples were collected in mid−August when there was almost no water. Zwoliński et al (2008) classified it Table 1 Vegetation types in the area of Petuniabukta after Prach et al (2010) according to Warner and Rubeck (1997) as a tundra lake located on a marine ter− race. According to the study of Zwoliński et al (2007), the lake is supplied by meltwater, by hillslope runoff and saturated overland flow from wetlands and creeks, and/or seasonal thawing of permafrost.…”

Section: Core Pol_imentioning

confidence: 99%

What do Holocene sediments in Petuniabukta, Spitsbergen reveal?

Bernardová¹,

Košnar²

2012

Polish Polar Research

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Studies of past vegetation from the inner fjords of the Svalbard archipelago have not previously been reported. This study assesses the potential of sediments retrieved from two sites in Petuniabukta, Billefjorden to track vegetation response to Quaternary climate change. The first sediment profile was retrieved from periodic lake on a 4 m a.s.l. marine terrace with a basal radiocarbon dated to 5 080 ± 30 BP, the second was retrieved from a de− pression in wet tundra on a 24 m a.s.l. marine terrace, which upper part was dated to 9 470 ± 30 BP. The study is primarily focused on macro− and micro−fossils. Pollen grains are pres− ent in very low concentrations. Macro−fossils were represented mostly by leafs and buds of Salix species and Dryas octopetala as well as the hybrid Salix herbacea x polaris. Fossil moss remains represent an important part of arctic ecosystems. Tardigrada remains were found in the sediments in high abundance whilst eggs and exuviae of at least six species were identified. The sediments are definitely suitable for the reconstruction of past condi− tions. However, it is necessary to take care not to focus at single type of analysis, as pollen analysis appeared uninformative and more information was obtained from plant macro− fossils (mosses, vascular plants). Little attention has been given to Tardigrada in the past, as they were overlooked and the preservation in sediments is usually very low.

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“…The same strip of land (2042 9 521 m; at the settlement of Brucebyen; latitude 78°38 0 N, longitude 16°45 0 E) that was surveyed by Acock (1940Acock ( ) in 1936Acock ( -1937 was studied again in 2008 using the same methods (for details, see Prach et al 2010); vegetation was mapped again and species lists were compiled again. The mapped area stretched from the sea coast to the foothills of steep mountain slopes.…”

Section: Recent and Short-term Historical Recordsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Here, we only present results from the stabilised lower part. For a complete survey, see Prach et al (2010).…”

Section: Recent and Short-term Historical Recordsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Available Information to Assess the Potential Effects of Climate Change on Vegetation in the High Arctic: North Billjefjorden, Central Spitsbergen (Svalbard)

Klimešová

Prach

Bernardová

2012

AMBIO

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We review the available data that can be used to assess the potential impact of climate change on vegetation, and we use central Spitsbergen, Svalbard, as a model location for the High Arctic. We used two sources of information: recent and short-term historical records, which enable assessment on scales of particular plant communities and the landscape over a period of decades, and palynological and macrofossil analyses, which enable assessment on time scales of hundreds and thousands of years and on the spatial scale of the landscape. Both of these substitutes for standardized monitoring revealed stability of vegetation, which is probably attributable to the harsh conditions and the distance of the area from sources of diaspores of potential new incomers. The only evident recent vegetation changes related to climate change are associated with succession after glacial retreats. By establishing a network of permanent plots, researchers will be able to monitor immigration of new species from diversity 'hot spots' and from an abandoned settlement nearby. This will greatly enhance our ability to understand the effects of climate change on vegetation in the High Arctic.

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High Arctic vegetation after 70 years: a repeated analysis from Svalbard

Cited by 48 publications

References 23 publications

Changes Versus Homeostasis in Alpine and Sub-Alpine Vegetation Over Three Decades in the Sub-Arctic

Changes Versus Homeostasis in Alpine and Sub-Alpine Vegetation Over Three Decades in the Sub-Arctic

What do Holocene sediments in Petuniabukta, Spitsbergen reveal?

Using Available Information to Assess the Potential Effects of Climate Change on Vegetation in the High Arctic: North Billjefjorden, Central Spitsbergen (Svalbard)

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