Arctic-alpine tundra ecosystems of the Arrigetch Creek valley, central Brooks Range, Alaska
Cooper DJ. 1983. Arctic-alpine tundra ecosystems of the Arrigetch Creek valley, central Brooks Range, Alaska. University of Colorado
(Adapted from author's abstract.) This Ph.D. thesis examines the ecosystems and biota in the arctic-alpine zone of the Arrigetch Creek valley in relation to the mountain environment. Four approaches were used in the study: principles of dynamic ecology; Braun-Blanquet floristic-sociological classification; numerical ordination and hierarchical cluster analysis; and floristic-phytogeographical analysis. Discussions on 235 vascular plant taxa, 197 lichens, and 135 bryophytes of the study area are included. Five orders, 10 alliances, and 49 associations are described from 459 releves in which 432 taxa occur. Taxa such as Carex rupestris and Dryas octopetala that are characterized as being chionophobic do not appear to be chionophobic in the study area. Taxa in the study area are calciphilous and occur primarily on highly disturbed sites. Kobresia myosuroides-dominated ecosystems are rare in the study area, being limited by soil movement. The vascular flora is composed of 41.8% circumpolar and 53.6% arctic-montane taxa. Boreal taxa occur at low elevations on acid soil; arctic-montane taxa occur on mesic to xeric limestone soil; and arctic taxa occur in snow patches and sites with high soil moisture.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Cooper, D
- Date of Issue
- 1983
- Publisher
- University of Colorado
- Units
- ANIA , GAAR
- Keywords
- Arrigetch Creek Valley , Bryophytes, Dissertation, Ecology, Ecosystems, Flora, Gates Of The Arctic National Park And Preserve, Lichen (Mycophycophyta), Phytogeography, Plant Studies, Plants, Tundra, Vegetation