Vegetation patterns at the treelimit ecotone in the upper Alatna River drainage of the central Brooks Range, Alaska
Odasz AM. 1983. Vegetation patterns at the treelimit ecotone in the upper Alatna River drainage of the central Brooks Range, Alaska. University of Colorado
Vegetation patterns in the central Brooks Range were analyzed in eight white spruce ecotone sites in the Alatna River drainage. Field data were collected during the 1978,1981, and 1982 seasons. Measurements were made of species composition and abundance, elevation, slope, aspect, and the percent of ground that was covered by rock and litter, or bare. Soil measurements were taken for thickness, pH, and depth to permafrost. Spruce trees were cored and aged. The taxa collected are identified and listed by genus in an Appendix. Results demonstrate that the post-glacial vegetation has developed into different communitites and that drainage conditions are a prime variable in determining community structure. Holocene climatic conditions and combinations of site-specific environmental factors have produced a mosaic of mesotopographical-scale vegetation associations. Multivariate community analysis suggested major abiotic constraints on vegetation patterns.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Odasz, Ann
- Date of Issue
- 1983
- Publisher
- University of Colorado
- Units
- GAAR
- Keywords
- Alatna River drainage, Gates Of The Arctic National Park And Preserve, Habitat, Phytogeography, Picea Glauca, Plants, Soils, Species List, Treeline, Trees, Vegetation, White Spruce