Effects of biotic feedback on the pattern and rate of subalpine forest advancement
Bekker MF. 2002. Effects of biotic feedback on the pattern and rate of subalpine forest advancement. University of Iowa
Although many biogeographical and ecological studies have investigated how processes create patterns, the reciprocal effect of pattern on processes has not been well studied. In this research, I examine the potential for pattern to influence processes through spatial, biotic feedbacks at the alpine treeline ecotone in Glacier National Park, Montana. I use a combination of computer simulation models and dendrochronology to examine the effects of feedback on post-Little Ice Age advancement of subalpine forest in linear, finger-like strips that interdigitate with tundra. I first use a combination of physiologically mechanistic models to produce a measure of site quality, representing changing growing conditions related to climate. Feedback is then incorporated into a forest-stand simulation model as an increase in site quality due to habitat amelioration by upwind neighbors, primarily through snow deposition. Finally, I compare the model output with detailed, cross dated dendrochronological reconstructions of the pattern and rate of forest advancement.