Mechanisms of primary succession at Glacier Bay, Alaska
Walker LR, Chapin FS, Fastie CL, Sharman L. 1993. Mechanisms of primary succession at Glacier Bay, Alaska. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. 74(2):475
We tested the hypothesis that N-fixing colonizers (Dryas, alder) facilitated establishment of the late successional spruce in primary succession at Glacier Bay, Alaska. Both naturally occurring and transplanted spruce seedlings grew most rapidly in the Dryas- and alder-dominated stages. Litter addition and greenhouse experiments suggest the facilitative effect of the alder was due to inputs of organic matter and associated N. However, root trenching experiments suggest that alder also competes with understory spruce seedlings for soil resources. Life history traits determine the pattern of succession, competitive interactions cause changes in species dominance, and facilitation alters the rate of succession.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Walker, Lawrence; Chapin, F; Fastie, Christopher; Sharman, Lewis
- Units
- GLBA
- Keywords
- Ecology, Management, Natural Resource