Field Measurements of Growth and Phosphate Absorption in Carex aquatilis along a Latitudinal Gradient
Chapin FS. 1981. Field Measurements of Growth and Phosphate Absorption in Carex aquatilis along a Latitudinal Gradient. Arctic and Alpine Research. 13(1):83-94
Field studies of Carex aquatilis were conducted in (1) arctic Alaska, (2) adjacent hot spring and permafrost-dominated muskeg in interior Alaska, and (3) alpine and subalpine sites in Colorado. Arctic soils were coldest, most thermally stable, and lowest in available phosphate of all sites. Hot spring and subalpine soils were warmer and more thermally stable seasonally than nearby muskeg and alpine soils, respectively, but differed in phosphate availability. In each geographic area Carex aquatilis was restricted to habitats with cooler soils than those occupied by other sedges. Tiller height and leaf number were positively correlated with both soil temperature and available phosphate and in Alaska were associated with higher rates of vegetative and sexual reproduction. Phosphate absorption rate of excised roots was highest in populations growing in the coldest, most phosphorus-poor soils. Soil phosphate status was more important than soil temperature in determining phosphate absorption capacity.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Chapin, F
- Units
- CAKN , DENA , WRST , YUCH
- Keywords
- Adaptation, Alpine, Physiology, Subarctic, USA, Vegetation