Gradient Analysis of Latitudinal Variation in Southern Rocky Mountain Forests
Allen RB, Peet RK, Baker WL. 1991. Gradient Analysis of Latitudinal Variation in Southern Rocky Mountain Forests. Journal of Biogeography. 18(2):123-139
Vegetation samples collected near Taos, New Mexico, Wet Mountain Valley, Colorado, and Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, were used to analyze latitudinal variation in Southern Rocky Mountain forests. Objectives were: (1) to examine latitudinal shifts in species and community positions with respect to local environmental gradients; (2) to compare between regions the factors correlated with local gradients in species composition; and (3) to illustrate the power of gradient-based methods for the analysis of large-scale geographic variation in vegetation. Dominant composition gradients at the three localities were related to elevation, site moisture status, and potential solar radiation. The average elevation of floristically similar stands declined with increasing latitude between Taos and Wet Mountain Valley (-46.5 m per degree latitude), and between Wet Mountain Valley and Rocky Mountain National Park (-106.6 m per degree latitude). Elevation shifts between localities varied with the reference stand's position along the elevation and moisture gradients.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Allen, Robert; Peet, Robert; Baker, William
- Units
- ROMO
- Keywords
- Gradients, Plant Communities, Plant Studies, Vegetation