Vegetation succession patterns near the terminus of the Kennicott Glacier, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Nowosad A. 2010. Vegetation succession patterns near the terminus of the Kennicott Glacier, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Alaska Pacific University. Alaska Pacific University
This project looked at patterns of vegetation primary succession near the terminus of the Kennicott Glacier in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska. Using a combination of field data collection, GIS mapping, statistical analysis, and ordination analysis the pattern of plant succession was determined. Percent cover of plants was recorded at each of 89 sample sites near the terminus of the glacier. Environmental factors including geomorphologic habitat type, slope, angle, concavity, soil particle size, depth of the dead organic layer, and age of each site were also determined. These aspects of the physical and biological environment were used to determine which factors have the most impact on the pattern of vegetation succession. The age of each site was calculated using existing aerial photography and maps of the area. Landform age was determined to be driving the pattern of vegetation growth within the study area. The most abundant species and those representing the large-scale pattern of vegetation succession include Dryas drummondii, Picea, a Hylocomium species, and Shepherdia canadensis. This result along with other observations largely agrees with other succession research done on glacier forelands.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Nowosad, Anna
- Date of Issue
- 2010
- Publisher
- Alaska Pacific University
- Units
- WRST
- Keywords
- Glacier, Kennecott, Kennicott, Kennicott Glacier, Kennicott Valley, Plant Succession, Succession, Vegetation, WRST