Estimated ages of mature tussocks of Eriophorum vaginatum along a latitudinal gradient in central Alaska, U.S.A
Mark AF, Fetcher N, Shaver GR, Chapin FS. 1985. Estimated ages of mature tussocks of Eriophorum vaginatum along a latitudinal gradient in central Alaska, U.S.A. Arctic and Alpine Research. 17(1):1-5
A method is described for approximating the minimum ages of mature tussocks of the wide-spread cotton sedge E. vaginatum . It is based on measured values for tussock height and annual increments of the vertically oriented stems with adjustments to account for some loss in height when the relatively short lived tillers (< 8 yr) are superseded by daughter tillers. Values for plant height and annual stem increment both varied about threefold between the extremes of tussock populations from six sites covering 5 degree 13' of latitude (ca. 590 km) in central Alaska. Values for both criteria correlate closely with each other and with thaw degree-days for the three summer months at each of the sites. By contrast, values for estimated minimum ages of mature tussocks at the six sites showed no such correlations and were within 22% of the mean value (158 yr). Estimated ages ranged from 122 to 187 yr, confirming the general impression that plants of this species are relatively long lived.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Mark, A; Fetcher, N; Shaver, G; Chapin, F
- Units
- ARCN , BELA , CAKR , GAAR , KOVA , NOAT
- Keywords
- aging methods, Alaska, Arctic, Arctic LTER Site, Brooks Range Foothills, D 04001 Methodology - general, D 04636 Grasses, Eriophorum vaginatum, Latitude, Longevity, Toolik Lake, USA