Responses of Diversity and Growth-Form Dominance to Fertility in Alaskan Tundra Fellfield Communities
Fox JF. 1992. Responses of Diversity and Growth-Form Dominance to Fertility in Alaskan Tundra Fellfield Communities. Arctic and Alpine Research. 24(3):233-237
The effects of NPK fertilization on species composition and diversity in tundra fellfield communities were measured after 1, 3, and 5 growing seasons. The outcome did not agree with the idea that fellfield is a microsuccessional mosaic or with predictions of the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. The outcome did agree with the hypothesis that growth-form dominance is causally related to soil fertility. Growth-form composition changed markedly, with graminoids replacing evergreen dwarf shrubs as dominants; deciduous dwarf shrubs and forbs changed little in relative abundance. Fertilization increased cover markedly, showing that fellfield vegetation (like many other tundra vegetation types) is nutrient limited.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Fox, John
- Units
- CAKN , DENA , WRST , YUCH
- Keywords
- Accumulation, Disturbance, Fertilization, Forests, Montane, Plant diversity, Subarctic, Tussock Tundra, Vegetation