Mapping, modeling, and visualization of the influences of geomorphic processes on the alpine treeline ecotone, Glacier National Park, MT, USA

Walsh, Stephen J.; Butler, David; Malanson, George P.; Crews‐Meyer, Kelley A.; Messina, Joseph P.; Xiao, Ningchuan

doi:10.1016/s0169-555x(02)00350-1

Cited by 53 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…A problem with the comparisons of timberline measurements from different sources may be associated with the vast number of forest-and tree limit definitions used both in Scandinavia and globally (e.g. Aas 1964;Holtmeier 2003;Walsh et al 2003). One may, however, expect that 'errors' related to timberline measurement lie within the range of the treeline (tree limit) and the timberline (forest limit) i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of latitude and mountain height on the timberline (Betula pubescens ssp. czerpanovii) elevation along the central Scandinavian mountain range

Odland

2015

Fennia

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Effect of latitude and mountain height on the timberline (Betula pubescens ssp. czerpanovii) elevation along the central Scandinavian mountain range ARVID ODLAND Odland, Arvid (2015). Effect of latitude and mountain height on the timberline (Betula pubescens ssp. czerpanovii) elevation along the central Scandinavian mountain range. Fennia 193: 2, 260-270. ISSN 1798-5617.Previously published isoline maps of Fennoscandian timberlines show that their highest elevations lie in the high mountain areas in central south Norway and from there the limits decrease in all directions. These maps are assumed to show differences in "climatic forest limits", but the isoline patterns indicate that factors other than climate may be decisive in most of the areas. Possibly the effects of 'massenerhebung' and the "summit syndrome" may locally have major effects on the timberline elevation. The main aim of the present study is to quantify the effect of latitude and mountain height on the regional variation of mountain birch timberline elevation. The study is a statistical analysis of previous published data on the timberline elevation and nearby mountain height. Selection of the study sites has been stratified to the Scandinavian mountain range (the Scandes) from 58 to 71 o N where the timberlines reach their highest elevations. The data indicates that only the high mountain massifs in S Norway and N Sweden are sufficiently high to allow birch forests to reach their potential elevations.Stepwise regression shows that latitude explains 70.9% while both latitude and mountain explain together 89.0% of the timberline variation. Where the mountains are low (approximately 1000 m higher than the measured local timberlines) effects of the summit syndrome will lower the timberline elevation substantially and climatically determined timberlines will probably not have been reached. This indicates that models of future timberlines and thereby the alpine area extent in a warmer world may result in unrealistic conclusions without taking account of local mountain heights.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of latitude and mountain height on the timberline (Betula pubescens ssp. czerpanovii) elevation along the central Scandinavian mountain range

Odland

2015

Fennia

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“…Modelling approaches can be used to develop spatial predictions of the locations of the most suitable sites for given geomorphological features in the unsurveyed parts of landscapes and to improve the targeting of efforts and resources to such sites (Walsh et al, 2003;Luoto and Hjort, 2005). One potential means to complement the insufficient information concerning the distribution of geomorphological processes is provided by predictive geomorphological modelling (Atkinson et al, 1998;Rowbotham and Dudycha, 1998;Etzelmüller et al, 2001;Gurney and Bartsch, 2005;Luoto and Hjort, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One potential means to complement the insufficient information concerning the distribution of geomorphological processes is provided by predictive geomorphological modelling (Atkinson et al, 1998;Rowbotham and Dudycha, 1998;Etzelmüller et al, 2001;Gurney and Bartsch, 2005;Luoto and Hjort, 2005). The recent development of predictive geomorphological modelling is based on two trends: (1) growth in the availability of remotely sensed (RS) data and in the development of GIS techniques and (2) the development of novel statistical techniques that can be applied to a wide range of geographical systems (Guisan and Zimmermann, 2000;Walsh et al, 2003;Luoto and Hjort, 2005). A great challenge in predictive geomorphological mapping, indeed a task long deemed impossible, is the generation of fine-grained information from coarse-resolution maps.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, all explanatory variables in this study were sampled from digital data sets. Such factors tend to be less precise and less related causally than field measurements, but they are often used due to time and budget constraints (Walsh et al, 2003). One major drawback of using surrogates of causal factors is that a model can only be applied without significant errors within a limited geographical extent and spatial resolution (Guisan and Zimmermann, 2000).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Maps are important to planning, construction, nature conservation, scientific research and educators (Walsh et al, 2003). One of the basic limitations to the use of geomorphological maps is their coarse resolution relative to the needs of pure and applied geomorphological research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Downscaling of coarse‐grained geomorphological data

Luoto

Hjort

2007

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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One of the basic limitations to the use of geomorphological maps is their coarse resolution relative to the needs of pure and applied geomorphological research. In response to this, attempts have been made to 'downscale' geomorphological information to finer spatial resolutions. However, the potential of statistical downscaling in geomorphology has been insufficiently examined. We downscaled four different periglacial features (wind deflation, palsa mire, earth hummock and sorted solifluction sheet) from a 100 ha grid to a 1 ha grid resolution utilizing two different techniques: point sampling (PSA) and direct (DA) approaches. We assessed the predictive accuracy of the models with the area under the curve (AUC) of a receiver operating characteristic plot using independent evaluation data. The PSA technique yielded encouraging results with a mean accuracy of 0·81, whereas the performance of DA was poorer. The predictive performance of the palsa mire and solifluction sheet models was excellent (AUC values from 0·89 to 0·96), whereas the AUC values of deflation and earth hummock models were lower (AUC = = = = = 0·57-0·81). The application of a point sampling approach as used here provides an efficient method to translate geomorphological information to finer resolution. However, further testing of the downscaling approaches is required before they can be applied to real-world situations.

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Solifluction meets vegetation: the role of biogeomorphic feedbacks for turf‐banked solifluction lobe development

Eichel

Draebing

Klingbeil

et al. 2017

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Vegetation is an important factor influencing solifluction processes, while at the same time, solifluction processes and landforms influence species composition, fine‐scale distribution and corresponding ecosystem functioning. However, how feedbacks between plants and solifluction processes influence the development of turf‐banked solifluction lobes (TBLs) and their geomorphic and vegetation patterns is still poorly understood. We addressed this knowledge gap in a detailed biogeomorphic investigation in the Turtmann glacier foreland (Switzerland). Methods employed include geomorphic and vegetation mapping, terrain assessment with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and temperature logging. Results were subsequently integrated with knowledge from previous geomorphic and ecologic studies into a conceptual model. Our results show that geomorphic and vegetation patterns at TBLs are closely linked through the lobe elements tread, risers and ridge. A conceptual four‐stage biogeomorphic model of TBL development with ecosystem engineering by the dwarf shrub Dryas octopetala as the dominant process can explain these interlinked patterns. Based on this model, we demonstrate that TBLs are biogeomorphic structures and follow a cyclic development, during which the role of their components for engineer and non‐engineer species changes. Our study presents the first biogeomorphic model of TBL development and highlights the applicability and necessity of biogeomorphic approaches and research in periglacial environments. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Mapping, modeling, and visualization of the influences of geomorphic processes on the alpine treeline ecotone, Glacier National Park, MT, USA

Cited by 53 publications

References 16 publications

Effect of latitude and mountain height on the timberline (Betula pubescens ssp. czerpanovii) elevation along the central Scandinavian mountain range

Effect of latitude and mountain height on the timberline (Betula pubescens ssp. czerpanovii) elevation along the central Scandinavian mountain range

Downscaling of coarse‐grained geomorphological data

Solifluction meets vegetation: the role of biogeomorphic feedbacks for turf‐banked solifluction lobe development

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