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Berner LT, Orndahl KM, Rose M, Tamstorf M, Arndal MF, Alexander HD, Humphreys ER, Loranty MM, Ludwig SM, Nyman J, Juutinen S, Aurela M, Happonen K, Mikola J, Mack MC, Vankoughnett MR, Iversen CM, Salmon VG, Yang D, Kumar J, Grogan P, Danby RK, Scott NA, Olofsson J, Siewert MB, Deschamps L, Lévesque E, Maire V, Morneault A, Gauthier G, Gignac C, Boudreau S, Gaspard A, Kholodov A, Bret-Harte MS, Greaves HE, Walker D, Gregory FM, Michelsen A, Kumpula T, Villoslada M, Ylänne H, Luoto M, Virtanen T, Forbes BC, Hölzel N, Epstein H, Heim RJ, Bunn A, Holmes RM, Hung JKY, Natali SM, Virkkala AM, Goetz SJ. The Arctic Plant Aboveground Biomass Synthesis Dataset. Sci Data 2024; 11:305. [PMID: 38509110 PMCID: PMC10954756 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03139-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Plant biomass is a fundamental ecosystem attribute that is sensitive to rapid climatic changes occurring in the Arctic. Nevertheless, measuring plant biomass in the Arctic is logistically challenging and resource intensive. Lack of accessible field data hinders efforts to understand the amount, composition, distribution, and changes in plant biomass in these northern ecosystems. Here, we present The Arctic plant aboveground biomass synthesis dataset, which includes field measurements of lichen, bryophyte, herb, shrub, and/or tree aboveground biomass (g m-2) on 2,327 sample plots from 636 field sites in seven countries. We created the synthesis dataset by assembling and harmonizing 32 individual datasets. Aboveground biomass was primarily quantified by harvesting sample plots during mid- to late-summer, though tree and often tall shrub biomass were quantified using surveys and allometric models. Each biomass measurement is associated with metadata including sample date, location, method, data source, and other information. This unique dataset can be leveraged to monitor, map, and model plant biomass across the rapidly warming Arctic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan T Berner
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, USA.
| | - Kathleen M Orndahl
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, USA
| | - Melissa Rose
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, USA
| | - Mikkel Tamstorf
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marie F Arndal
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Heather D Alexander
- College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, USA
| | - Elyn R Humphreys
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | - Sarah M Ludwig
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Columbia University, Palisades, USA
| | - Johanna Nyman
- Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA
| | - Sari Juutinen
- Climate System Research, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mika Aurela
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Juha Mikola
- Bioeconomy and Environment Unit, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michelle C Mack
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, USA
| | | | - Colleen M Iversen
- Climate Change Science Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, USA
| | - Verity G Salmon
- Climate Change Science Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, USA
- Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, USA
| | - Dedi Yang
- Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, USA
| | - Jitendra Kumar
- Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, USA
| | - Paul Grogan
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Ryan K Danby
- Department of Geography and Planning, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Neal A Scott
- Department of Geography and Planning, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Johan Olofsson
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Matthias B Siewert
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lucas Deschamps
- Département des sciences de l'environnement, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada
| | - Esther Lévesque
- Département des sciences de l'environnement, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada
| | - Vincent Maire
- Département des sciences de l'environnement, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada
| | - Amélie Morneault
- Département des sciences de l'environnement, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada
| | - Gilles Gauthier
- Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Department of Biology, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Charles Gignac
- Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Department of Plant Science, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Anna Gaspard
- Department of Biology, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | | | | | - Heather E Greaves
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, USA
| | - Donald Walker
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, USA
| | - Fiona M Gregory
- Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Anders Michelsen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark
| | - Timo Kumpula
- Department of Geographical and Historical Studies, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Miguel Villoslada
- Department of Geographical and Historical Studies, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
- Institute of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Henni Ylänne
- School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Miska Luoto
- Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tarmo Virtanen
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bruce C Forbes
- Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Norbert Hölzel
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Howard Epstein
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
| | - Ramona J Heim
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Bunn
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University, Bellingham, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Scott J Goetz
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, USA
- Bioeconomy and Environment Unit, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Helsinki, Finland
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2
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Oehri J, Schaepman-Strub G, Kim JS, Grysko R, Kropp H, Grünberg I, Zemlianskii V, Sonnentag O, Euskirchen ES, Reji Chacko M, Muscari G, Blanken PD, Dean JF, di Sarra A, Harding RJ, Sobota I, Kutzbach L, Plekhanova E, Riihelä A, Boike J, Miller NB, Beringer J, López-Blanco E, Stoy PC, Sullivan RC, Kejna M, Parmentier FJW, Gamon JA, Mastepanov M, Wille C, Jackowicz-Korczynski M, Karger DN, Quinton WL, Putkonen J, van As D, Christensen TR, Hakuba MZ, Stone RS, Metzger S, Vandecrux B, Frost GV, Wild M, Hansen B, Meloni D, Domine F, te Beest M, Sachs T, Kalhori A, Rocha AV, Williamson SN, Morris S, Atchley AL, Essery R, Runkle BRK, Holl D, Riihimaki LD, Iwata H, Schuur EAG, Cox CJ, Grachev AA, McFadden JP, Fausto RS, Göckede M, Ueyama M, Pirk N, de Boer G, Bret-Harte MS, Leppäranta M, Steffen K, Friborg T, Ohmura A, Edgar CW, Olofsson J, Chambers SD. Vegetation type is an important predictor of the arctic summer land surface energy budget. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6379. [PMID: 36316310 PMCID: PMC9622844 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34049-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the importance of high-latitude surface energy budgets (SEBs) for land-climate interactions in the rapidly changing Arctic, uncertainties in their prediction persist. Here, we harmonize SEB observations across a network of vegetated and glaciated sites at circumpolar scale (1994-2021). Our variance-partitioning analysis identifies vegetation type as an important predictor for SEB-components during Arctic summer (June-August), compared to other SEB-drivers including climate, latitude and permafrost characteristics. Differences among vegetation types can be of similar magnitude as between vegetation and glacier surfaces and are especially high for summer sensible and latent heat fluxes. The timing of SEB-flux summer-regimes (when daily mean values exceed 0 Wm-2) relative to snow-free and -onset dates varies substantially depending on vegetation type, implying vegetation controls on snow-cover and SEB-flux seasonality. Our results indicate complex shifts in surface energy fluxes with land-cover transitions and a lengthening summer season, and highlight the potential for improving future Earth system models via a refined representation of Arctic vegetation types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Oehri
- grid.7400.30000 0004 1937 0650Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland ,grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Docteur Penfield, H3A 1B1 Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Gabriela Schaepman-Strub
- grid.7400.30000 0004 1937 0650Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jin-Soo Kim
- grid.7400.30000 0004 1937 0650Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland ,grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Low-Carbon and Climate Impact Research Centre, School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Ave, Kowloon Tong, Hongkong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Raleigh Grysko
- grid.7400.30000 0004 1937 0650Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Heather Kropp
- grid.256766.60000 0004 1936 7881Environmental Studies Program, Hamilton College, 198 College Hill Rd, Clinton, NY USA
| | - Inge Grünberg
- grid.10894.340000 0001 1033 7684Permafrost Research Section, Alfred-Wegener Institute, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam Germany
| | - Vitalii Zemlianskii
- grid.7400.30000 0004 1937 0650Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Sonnentag
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Département de géographie, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard Montpetit Blvd, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada
| | - Eugénie S. Euskirchen
- grid.70738.3b0000 0004 1936 981XInstitute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2140 Koyukuk Dr, Fairbanks, AK USA
| | - Merin Reji Chacko
- grid.7400.30000 0004 1937 0650Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland ,grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zurich, CHN, Universitätstrasse 16, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland ,grid.419754.a0000 0001 2259 5533Land Change Science Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903 Birmensdorf, ZH Switzerland
| | - Giovanni Muscari
- grid.410348.a0000 0001 2300 5064Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata, 605 Rome, Italy
| | - Peter D. Blanken
- grid.266190.a0000000096214564Department of Geography, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO USA
| | - Joshua F. Dean
- grid.5337.20000 0004 1936 7603School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Rd, Bristol, UK
| | - Alcide di Sarra
- grid.5196.b0000 0000 9864 2490Department for Sustainability, ENEA, Via Enrico Fermi 45, Frascati, Italy
| | - Richard J. Harding
- grid.494924.60000 0001 1089 2266UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), MacLean Bldg, Benson Ln, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, UK
| | - Ireneusz Sobota
- grid.5374.50000 0001 0943 6490Department of Hydrology and Water Management, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska, 87-100 Toruń Poland
| | - Lars Kutzbach
- grid.9026.d0000 0001 2287 2617Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), University of Hamburg, Bundesstrasse 53, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elena Plekhanova
- grid.7400.30000 0004 1937 0650Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Aku Riihelä
- grid.8657.c0000 0001 2253 8678Finnish Meteorological Institute, Erik Palménin aukio 1, 00560 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Julia Boike
- grid.10894.340000 0001 1033 7684Permafrost Research Section, Alfred-Wegener Institute, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam Germany ,grid.7468.d0000 0001 2248 7639Geography Department, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nathaniel B. Miller
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
| | - Jason Beringer
- grid.1012.20000 0004 1936 7910School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009 WA Australia
| | - Efrén López-Blanco
- grid.424543.00000 0001 0741 5039Department of Environment and Minerals, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, Nuuk, 3900 Greenland ,grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Nordre Ringgade 1, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Paul C. Stoy
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
| | - Ryan C. Sullivan
- grid.187073.a0000 0001 1939 4845Environmental Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S Cass Ave, Lemont, IL USA
| | - Marek Kejna
- grid.5374.50000 0001 0943 6490Department of Meteorology and Climatology, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska, 87-100 Toruń Poland
| | - Frans-Jan W. Parmentier
- grid.5510.10000 0004 1936 8921Center for Biogeochemistry of the Anthropocene, Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Sem Sælands vei 1, 0371 Oslo, Norway ,grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Geocentrum II, Sölvegatan 12, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - John A. Gamon
- grid.24434.350000 0004 1937 0060University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 1400 R St, Lincoln, NE USA
| | - Mikhail Mastepanov
- grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Nordre Ringgade 1, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark ,grid.10858.340000 0001 0941 4873Oulanka Research Station, University of Oulu, Pentti Kaiteran katu 1, 90570 Oulu, Finland
| | - Christian Wille
- grid.23731.340000 0000 9195 2461GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Wissenschaftspark Albert Einstein, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam Germany
| | - Marcin Jackowicz-Korczynski
- grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Nordre Ringgade 1, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark ,grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Geocentrum II, Sölvegatan 12, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Dirk N. Karger
- grid.419754.a0000 0001 2259 5533Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow, and Landscape Research (WSL), Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903 Birmensdorf, ZH Switzerland
| | - William L. Quinton
- grid.268252.90000 0001 1958 9263Cold Regions Research Centre, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON Canada
| | - Jaakko Putkonen
- grid.266862.e0000 0004 1936 8163Harold Hamm School of Geology and Geological Engineering, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND USA
| | - Dirk van As
- grid.13508.3f0000 0001 1017 5662Department of Glaciology and Climate, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Øster Voldgade 10, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Torben R. Christensen
- grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Nordre Ringgade 1, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark ,grid.10858.340000 0001 0941 4873Oulanka Research Station, University of Oulu, Pentti Kaiteran katu 1, 90570 Oulu, Finland
| | - Maria Z. Hakuba
- grid.20861.3d0000000107068890Jet Propulsion Laboratory, CalTech, 4800 Oak Grove Dr, Pasadena, CA USA
| | - Robert S. Stone
- grid.423024.30000 0000 8485 3852NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO USA
| | - Stefan Metzger
- grid.422235.00000 0004 6483 1479National Ecological Observatory Network, Battelle, 1685 38th St #100, Boulder, CO USA ,grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1225 W Dayton St, Madison, WI USA
| | - Baptiste Vandecrux
- grid.13508.3f0000 0001 1017 5662Department of Glaciology and Climate, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Øster Voldgade 10, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gerald V. Frost
- grid.487865.00000 0004 5928 6410Alaska Biological Research, Inc, 2842 Goldstream Rd, Fairbanks, AK USA
| | - Martin Wild
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, CHN, Universitätstrasse 16, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Birger Hansen
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDepartment of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Daniela Meloni
- grid.5196.b0000 0000 9864 2490Department for Sustainability, ENEA, Lungotevere Grande Ammiraglio Thaon di Revel, 76, Rome, Italy
| | - Florent Domine
- grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Department of Chemistry, Université Laval, Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, 1045 Av. de la Médecine, G1V 0A6 Québec, QC Canada ,grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Takuvik Laboratory, CNRS-INSU, Département de Biologie, Université Laval, Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, 1045 Av. de la Médecine, G1V 0A6 Québec, QC Canada
| | - Mariska te Beest
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Vening Meinesz Building, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.412139.c0000 0001 2191 3608Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, University Way, Summerstrand, Gqeberha, 6019 Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Torsten Sachs
- grid.23731.340000 0000 9195 2461GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Wissenschaftspark Albert Einstein, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam Germany
| | - Aram Kalhori
- grid.23731.340000 0000 9195 2461GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Wissenschaftspark Albert Einstein, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam Germany
| | - Adrian V. Rocha
- grid.131063.60000 0001 2168 0066Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 100 Galvin Life Sciences, Notre Dame, IN USA
| | - Scott N. Williamson
- grid.55614.330000 0001 1302 4958Polar Knowledge Canada, Canadian High Arctic Research Station, 1 rue Uvajuq place, CP 2150 Cambridge Bay, NU Canada
| | - Sara Morris
- grid.511342.0NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO USA
| | - Adam L. Atchley
- grid.148313.c0000 0004 0428 3079Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bikini Atoll Rd., SM 30, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | - Richard Essery
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Drummond St, Edinburgh, EH8 9XP UK
| | - Benjamin R. K. Runkle
- grid.411017.20000 0001 2151 0999Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas, 1164 W Maple St, Fayetteville, AR USA
| | - David Holl
- grid.9026.d0000 0001 2287 2617Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), University of Hamburg, Bundesstrasse 53, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura D. Riihimaki
- grid.423024.30000 0000 8485 3852NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO USA ,grid.266190.a0000000096214564CIRES (Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences), 216 UCB, University of Colorado Boulder Campus, Boulder, CO USA
| | - Hiroki Iwata
- grid.263518.b0000 0001 1507 4692Department of Environmental Science, Shinshu University, 3 Chome-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621 Japan
| | - Edward A. G. Schuur
- grid.261120.60000 0004 1936 8040Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, S San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ USA
| | - Christopher J. Cox
- grid.511342.0NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO USA
| | - Andrey A. Grachev
- DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, Owen Rd, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, NM USA
| | - Joseph P. McFadden
- grid.133342.40000 0004 1936 9676Department of Geography and Earth Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, 5816 Ellison Hall, Isla Vista, CA USA
| | - Robert S. Fausto
- grid.13508.3f0000 0001 1017 5662Department of Glaciology and Climate, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Øster Voldgade 10, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mathias Göckede
- grid.419500.90000 0004 0491 7318Department of Biogeochemical Signals, Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Hans-Knöll-Straße 10, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Masahito Ueyama
- Osaka Metropolitan University, Sakai, Kita Ward, Umeda, 1 Chome−2 − 2-600, Osaka, Japan
| | - Norbert Pirk
- grid.5510.10000 0004 1936 8921Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Sem Sælands vei 1, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Gijs de Boer
- grid.511342.0NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO USA ,grid.266190.a0000000096214564CIRES (Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences), 216 UCB, University of Colorado Boulder Campus, Boulder, CO USA ,grid.266190.a0000000096214564IRISS (Integrated Remote and In Situ Sensing), University of Colorado, Boulder, CO USA
| | - M. Syndonia Bret-Harte
- grid.70738.3b0000 0004 1936 981XInstitute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2140 Koyukuk Dr, Fairbanks, AK USA
| | - Matti Leppäranta
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071University of Helsinki, Yliopistonkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Konrad Steffen
- grid.419754.a0000 0001 2259 5533Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow, and Landscape Research (WSL), Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903 Birmensdorf, ZH Switzerland
| | - Thomas Friborg
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDepartment of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Atsumu Ohmura
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, CHN, Universitätstrasse 16, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Colin W. Edgar
- grid.70738.3b0000 0004 1936 981XInstitute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2140 Koyukuk Dr, Fairbanks, AK USA
| | - Johan Olofsson
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Linnaeus väg 4-6, 907 36 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Scott D. Chambers
- grid.1089.00000 0004 0432 8812ANSTO Lucas Heights, New Illawarra Rd, Lucas Heights NSW, 2234 Sydney, NSW Australia
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3
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Ray PM, Bret-Harte MS. Cryocampsis: a biophysical freeze-bending response of shrubs and trees under snow loads. PNAS Nexus 2022; 1:pgac131. [PMID: 36714826 PMCID: PMC9802243 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
We report a biophysical mechanism, termed cryocampsis (Greek cryo-, cold, + campsis, bending), that helps northern shrubs bend downward under a snow load. Subfreezing temperatures substantially increase the downward bending of cantilever-loaded branches of these shrubs, while allowing them to recover their summer elevation after thawing and becoming unloaded. This is counterintuitive, because biological materials (including branches that show cryocampsis) generally become stiffer when frozen, so should flex less, rather than more, under a given bending load. Cryocampsis involves straining of the cell walls of a branch's xylem (wood), and depends upon the branch being hydrated. Among woody species tested, cryocampsis occurs in almost all Arctic, some boreal, only a few temperate and Mediterranean, and no tropical woody species that we have tested. It helps cold-winter climate shrubs reversibly get, and stay, below the snow surface, sheltering them from winter weather and predation hazards. This should be advantageous, because Arctic shrub bud winter mortality significantly increases if their shoots are forcibly kept above the snow surface. Our observations reveal a physically surprising behavior of biological materials at subfreezing temperatures, and a previously unrecognized mechanism of woody plant adaptation to cold-winter climates. We suggest that cryocampsis' mechanism involves the movement of water between cell wall matrix polymers and cell lumens during freezing, analogous to that of frost-heave in soils or rocks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Syndonia Bret-Harte
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
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4
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Angot H, McErlean K, Hu L, Millet DB, Hueber J, Cui K, Moss J, Wielgasz C, Milligan T, Ketcherside D, Bret-Harte MS, Helmig D. Biogenic volatile organic compound ambient mixing ratios and emission rates in the Alaskan Arctic tundra. Biogeosciences 2020; 17:6219-6236. [PMID: 35222652 PMCID: PMC8872036 DOI: 10.5194/bg-17-6219-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Rapid Arctic warming, a lengthening growing season, and the increasing abundance of biogenic volatile-organic-compound-emitting shrubs are all anticipated to increase atmospheric biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in the Arctic atmosphere, with implications for atmospheric oxidation processes and climate feedbacks. Quantifying these changes requires an accurate understanding of the underlying processes driving BVOC emissions in the Arctic. While boreal ecosystems have been widely studied, little attention has been paid to Arctic tundra environments. Here, we report terpenoid (isoprene, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes) ambient mixing ratios and emission rates from key dominant vegetation species at Toolik Field Station (TFS; 68°38' N, 149°36' W) in northern Alaska during two back-to-back field campaigns (summers of 2018 and 2019) covering the entire growing season. Isoprene ambient mixing ratios observed at TFS fell within the range of values reported in the Eurasian taiga (0-500 parts per trillion by volume - pptv), while monoterpene and sesquiterpene ambient mixing ratios were respectively close to and below the instrumental quantification limit (~ 2 pptv). Isoprene surface emission rates ranged from 0.2 to 2250 μgC m-2 h-1 (mean of 85 μgC m-2 h-1) and monoterpene emission rates remained, on average, below 1 μgC m-2 h-1 over the course of the study. We further quantified the temperature dependence of isoprene emissions from local vegetation, including Salix spp. (a known isoprene emitter), and compared the results to predictions from the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature version 2.1 (MEGAN2.1). Our observations suggest a 180 %-215 % emission increase in response to a 3-4°C warming, and the MEGAN2.1 temperature algorithm exhibits a close fit with observations for enclosure temperatures in the 0-30°C range. The data presented here provide a baseline for investigating future changes in the BVOC emission potential of the under-studied Arctic tundra environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Angot
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Katelyn McErlean
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Lu Hu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Dylan B. Millet
- Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, MN, USA
| | - Jacques Hueber
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Kaixin Cui
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Jacob Moss
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Catherine Wielgasz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Tyler Milligan
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Damien Ketcherside
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | | | - Detlev Helmig
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
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Vansomeren LL, Barboza PS, Gustine DD, Syndonia Bret-Harte M. Variation in δ 15 N and δ 13 C values of forages for Arctic caribou: effects of location, phenology and simulated digestion. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2017; 31:813-820. [PMID: 28263443 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The use of stable isotopes for dietary estimates of wildlife assumes that there are consistent differences in isotopic ratios among diet items, and that the differences in these ratios between the diet item and the animal tissues (i.e., fractionation) are predictable. However, variation in isotopic ratios and fractionation of δ13 C and δ15 N values among locations, seasons, and forages are poorly described for arctic herbivores especially migratory species such as caribou (Rangifer tarandus). METHODS We measured the δ13 C and δ15 N values of seven species of forage growing along a 200-km transect through the range of the Central Arctic caribou herd on the North Slope of Alaska over 2 years. We compared forages available at the beginning (May; n = 175) and the end (n = 157) of the growing season (September). Purified enzymes were used to measure N digestibility and to assess isotopic fractionation in response to nutrient digestibility during simulated digestion. RESULTS Values for δ13 C declined by 1.38 ‰ with increasing latitude across the transect, and increased by 0.44 ‰ from the beginning to the end of the season. The range of values for δ15 N was greater than that for δ13 C (13.29 vs 5.60 ‰). Differences in values for δ13 C between graminoids (Eriophorum and Carex spp.) and shrubs (Betula and Salix spp.) were small but δ15 N values distinguished graminoids (1.87 ± 1.02 ‰) from shrubs (-2.87 ± 2.93 ‰) consistently across season and latitude. However, undigested residues of forages were enriched in 15 N when the digestibility of N was less than 0.67. CONCLUSIONS Although δ15 N values can distinguish plant groups in the diet of arctic herbivores, variation in the digestibility of dietary items may need to be considered in applying fractionation values for 15 N to caribou and other herbivores that select highly digestible items (e.g. forbs) as well as heavily defended plants (e.g. woody browse). Published in 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay L Vansomeren
- Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775-7000, USA
| | - Perry S Barboza
- Institute of Arctic Biology, Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775-7000, USA
| | - David D Gustine
- U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA
| | - M Syndonia Bret-Harte
- Institute of Arctic Biology, Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775-7000, USA
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6
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Okano K, Bret-Harte MS. Warming and neighbor removal affect white spruce seedling growth differently above and below treeline. Springerplus 2015; 4:79. [PMID: 25729635 PMCID: PMC4339320 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-0833-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Climate change is expected to be pronounced towards higher latitudes and altitudes. Warming triggers treeline and vegetation shifts, which may aggravate interspecific competition and affect biodiversity. This research tested the effects of a warming climate, habitat type, and neighboring plant competition on the establishment and growth of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings in a subarctic mountain region. P. glauca seedlings were planted in June 2010 under 4 different treatments (high/control temperatures, with/without competition) in 3 habitats (alpine ridge above treeline/tundra near treeline /forest below treeline habitats). After two growing seasons in 2011, growth, photosynthesis and foliar C and N data were obtained from a total of 156, one-and-a-half year old seedlings that had survived. Elevated temperatures increased growth and photosynthetic rates above and near treeline, but decreased them below treeline. Competition was increased by elevated temperatures in all habitat types. Our results suggest that increasing temperatures will have positive effects on the growth of P. glauca seedlings at the locations where P. glauca is expected to expand its habitat, but increasing temperatures may have negative effects on seedlings growing in mature forests. Due to interspecific competition, possibly belowground competition, the upslope expansion of treelines may not be as fast in the future as it was the last fifty years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Okano
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
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7
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DeMarco J, Mack MC, Bret-Harte MS. Effects of arctic shrub expansion on biophysical vs. biogeochemical drivers of litter decomposition. Ecology 2014; 95:1861-75. [DOI: 10.1890/13-2221.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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8
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DeMarco J, Mack MC, Bret-Harte MS, Burton M, Shaver GR. Long-term experimental warming and nutrient additions increase productivity in tall deciduous shrub tundra. Ecosphere 2014. [DOI: 10.1890/es13-00281.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Oberbauer SF, Elmendorf SC, Troxler TG, Hollister RD, Rocha AV, Bret-Harte MS, Dawes MA, Fosaa AM, Henry GHR, Høye TT, Jarrad FC, Jónsdóttir IS, Klanderud K, Klein JA, Molau U, Rixen C, Schmidt NM, Shaver GR, Slider RT, Totland Ø, Wahren CH, Welker JM. Phenological response of tundra plants to background climate variation tested using the International Tundra Experiment. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2013; 368:20120481. [PMID: 23836787 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2012.0481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapidly warming temperatures in high-latitude and alpine regions have the potential to alter the phenology of Arctic and alpine plants, affecting processes ranging from food webs to ecosystem trace gas fluxes. The International Tundra Experiment (ITEX) was initiated in 1990 to evaluate the effects of expected rapid changes in temperature on tundra plant phenology, growth and community changes using experimental warming. Here, we used the ITEX control data to test the phenological responses to background temperature variation across sites spanning latitudinal and moisture gradients. The dataset overall did not show an advance in phenology; instead, temperature variability during the years sampled and an absence of warming at some sites resulted in mixed responses. Phenological transitions of high Arctic plants clearly occurred at lower heat sum thresholds than those of low Arctic and alpine plants. However, sensitivity to temperature change was similar among plants from the different climate zones. Plants of different communities and growth forms differed for some phenological responses. Heat sums associated with flowering and greening appear to have increased over time. These results point to a complex suite of changes in plant communities and ecosystem function in high latitudes and elevations as the climate warms.
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Affiliation(s)
- S F Oberbauer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
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10
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Bret-Harte MS, Mack MC, Shaver GR, Huebner DC, Johnston M, Mojica CA, Pizano C, Reiskind JA. The response of Arctic vegetation and soils following an unusually severe tundra fire. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2013; 368:20120490. [PMID: 23836794 PMCID: PMC3720061 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2012.0490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fire causes dramatic short-term changes in vegetation and ecosystem function, and may promote rapid vegetation change by creating recruitment opportunities. Climate warming likely will increase the frequency of wildfire in the Arctic, where it is not common now. In 2007, the unusually severe Anaktuvuk River fire burned 1039 km2 of tundra on Alaska's North Slope. Four years later, we harvested plant biomass and soils across a gradient of burn severity, to assess recovery. In burned areas, above-ground net primary productivity of vascular plants equalled that in unburned areas, though total live biomass was less. Graminoid biomass had recovered to unburned levels, but shrubs had not. Virtually all vascular plant biomass had resprouted from surviving underground parts; no non-native species were seen. However, bryophytes were mostly disturbance-adapted species, and non-vascular biomass had recovered less than vascular plant biomass. Soil nitrogen availability did not differ between burned and unburned sites. Graminoids showed allocation changes consistent with nitrogen stress. These patterns are similar to those seen following other, smaller tundra fires. Soil nitrogen limitation and the persistence of resprouters will likely lead to recovery of mixed shrub–sedge tussock tundra, unless permafrost thaws, as climate warms, more extensively than has yet occurred.
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11
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Kade A, Bret-Harte MS, Euskirchen ES, Edgar C, Fulweber RA. Upscaling of CO2fluxes from heterogeneous tundra plant communities in Arctic Alaska. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1029/2012jg002065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Post E, Forchhammer MC, Bret-Harte MS, Callaghan TV, Christensen TR, Elberling B, Fox AD, Gilg O, Hik DS, Høye TT, Ims RA, Jeppesen E, Klein DR, Madsen J, McGuire AD, Rysgaard S, Schindler DE, Stirling I, Tamstorf MP, Tyler NJC, van der Wal R, Welker J, Wookey PA, Schmidt NM, Aastrup P. Ecological dynamics across the Arctic associated with recent climate change. Science 2009; 325:1355-8. [PMID: 19745143 DOI: 10.1126/science.1173113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 480] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
At the close of the Fourth International Polar Year, we take stock of the ecological consequences of recent climate change in the Arctic, focusing on effects at population, community, and ecosystem scales. Despite the buffering effect of landscape heterogeneity, Arctic ecosystems and the trophic relationships that structure them have been severely perturbed. These rapid changes may be a bellwether of changes to come at lower latitudes and have the potential to affect ecosystem services related to natural resources, food production, climate regulation, and cultural integrity. We highlight areas of ecological research that deserve priority as the Arctic continues to warm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Post
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, 208 Mueller Lab, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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Bret-Harte MS, Mack MC, Goldsmith GR, Sloan DB, Demarco J, Shaver GR, Ray PM, Biesinger Z, Chapin FS. Plant functional types do not predict biomass responses to removal and fertilization in Alaskan tussock tundra. J Ecol 2008; 96:713-726. [PMID: 18784797 PMCID: PMC2438444 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2745.2008.01378.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2007] [Accepted: 03/07/2008] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Plant communities in natural ecosystems are changing and species are being lost due to anthropogenic impacts including global warming and increasing nitrogen (N) deposition. We removed dominant species, combinations of species and entire functional types from Alaskan tussock tundra, in the presence and absence of fertilization, to examine the effects of non-random species loss on plant interactions and ecosystem functioning.After 6 years, growth of remaining species had compensated for biomass loss due to removal in all treatments except the combined removal of moss, Betula nana and Ledum palustre (MBL), which removed the most biomass. Total vascular plant production returned to control levels in all removal treatments, including MBL. Inorganic soil nutrient availability, as indexed by resins, returned to control levels in all unfertilized removal treatments, except MBL.Although biomass compensation occurred, the species that provided most of the compensating biomass in any given treatment were not from the same functional type (growth form) as the removed species. This provides empirical evidence that functional types based on effect traits are not the same as functional types based on response to perturbation. Calculations based on redistributing N from the removed species to the remaining species suggested that dominant species from other functional types contributed most of the compensatory biomass.Fertilization did not increase total plant community biomass, because increases in graminoid and deciduous shrub biomass were offset by decreases in evergreen shrub, moss and lichen biomass. Fertilization greatly increased inorganic soil nutrient availability.In fertilized removal treatments, deciduous shrubs and graminoids grew more than expected based on their performance in the fertilized intact community, while evergreen shrubs, mosses and lichens all grew less than expected. Deciduous shrubs performed better than graminoids when B. nana was present, but not when it had been removed.Synthesis. Terrestrial ecosystem response to warmer temperatures and greater nutrient availability in the Arctic may result in vegetative stable-states dominated by either deciduous shrubs or graminoids. The current relative abundance of these dominant growth forms may serve as a predictor for future vegetation composition.
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Walker MD, Wahren CH, Hollister RD, Henry GHR, Ahlquist LE, Alatalo JM, Bret-Harte MS, Calef MP, Callaghan TV, Carroll AB, Epstein HE, Jónsdóttir IS, Klein JA, Magnússon B, Molau U, Oberbauer SF, Rewa SP, Robinson CH, Shaver GR, Suding KN, Thompson CC, Tolvanen A, Totland Ø, Turner PL, Tweedie CE, Webber PJ, Wookey PA. Plant community responses to experimental warming across the tundra biome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:1342-6. [PMID: 16428292 PMCID: PMC1360515 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0503198103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 437] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2005] [Accepted: 12/11/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent observations of changes in some tundra ecosystems appear to be responses to a warming climate. Several experimental studies have shown that tundra plants and ecosystems can respond strongly to environmental change, including warming; however, most studies were limited to a single location and were of short duration and based on a variety of experimental designs. In addition, comparisons among studies are difficult because a variety of techniques have been used to achieve experimental warming and different measurements have been used to assess responses. We used metaanalysis on plant community measurements from standardized warming experiments at 11 locations across the tundra biome involved in the International Tundra Experiment. The passive warming treatment increased plant-level air temperature by 1-3 degrees C, which is in the range of predicted and observed warming for tundra regions. Responses were rapid and detected in whole plant communities after only two growing seasons. Overall, warming increased height and cover of deciduous shrubs and graminoids, decreased cover of mosses and lichens, and decreased species diversity and evenness. These results predict that warming will cause a decline in biodiversity across a wide variety of tundra, at least in the short term. They also provide rigorous experimental evidence that recently observed increases in shrub cover in many tundra regions are in response to climate warming. These changes have important implications for processes and interactions within tundra ecosystems and between tundra and the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn D Walker
- Boreal Ecology Cooperative Research Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, University of Alaska, P.O. Box 756780, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6780, USA
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15
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Mack MC, Schuur EAG, Bret-Harte MS, Shaver GR, Chapin FS. Ecosystem carbon storage in arctic tundra reduced by long-term nutrient fertilization. Nature 2004; 431:440-3. [PMID: 15386009 DOI: 10.1038/nature02887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 354] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2004] [Accepted: 07/20/2004] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Global warming is predicted to be most pronounced at high latitudes, and observational evidence over the past 25 years suggests that this warming is already under way. One-third of the global soil carbon pool is stored in northern latitudes, so there is considerable interest in understanding how the carbon balance of northern ecosystems will respond to climate warming. Observations of controls over plant productivity in tundra and boreal ecosystems have been used to build a conceptual model of response to warming, where warmer soils and increased decomposition of plant litter increase nutrient availability, which, in turn, stimulates plant production and increases ecosystem carbon storage. Here we present the results of a long-term fertilization experiment in Alaskan tundra, in which increased nutrient availability caused a net ecosystem loss of almost 2,000 grams of carbon per square meter over 20 years. We found that annual aboveground plant production doubled during the experiment. Losses of carbon and nitrogen from deep soil layers, however, were substantial and more than offset the increased carbon and nitrogen storage in plant biomass and litter. Our study suggests that projected release of soil nutrients associated with high-latitude warming may further amplify carbon release from soils, causing a net loss of ecosystem carbon and a positive feedback to climate warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle C Mack
- Department of Botany, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA.
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16
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Urcelay C, Bret-Harte MS, Díaz S, Chapin FS. Mycorrhizal colonization mediated by species interactions in arctic tundra. Oecologia 2003; 137:399-404. [PMID: 12905060 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-003-1349-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2002] [Accepted: 06/17/2003] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Alaskan tussock tundra is a strongly nutrient-limited ecosystem, where almost all vascular plant species are mycorrhizal. We established a long-term removal experiment to document effects of arctic plant species on ecto- and ericoid mycorrhizal fungi and to investigate whether species interactions and/or nutrient availability affect mycorrhizal colonization. The treatments applied were removal of Betula nana ( Betulaceae, dominant deciduous shrub species), removal of Ledum palustre ( Ericaceae, dominant evergreen shrub species), control (no removal), and each of these three treatments with the addition of fertilizer. After 3 years of Ledum removal and fertilization, we found that overall ectomycorrhizal colonization in Betula was significantly reduced. Changes in ectomycorrhizal morphotype composition in removal and fertilized treatments were also observed. These results suggest that the effect of Ledum on Betula's mycorrhizal roots is due to sequestration of nutrients by Ledum, leading to reduced nutrient availability in the soil. In contrast, ericoid mycorrhizal colonization was not affected by fertilization, but the removal of Betula and to a lower degree of Ledum resulted in a reduction of ericoid mycorrhizal colonization suggesting a direct effect of these species on ericoid mycorrhizal colonization. Nutrient availability was only higher in fertilized treatments, but caution should be taken with the interpretation of these data as soil microbes may effectively compete with the ion exchange resins for the nutrients released by plant removal in these nutrient-limited soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Urcelay
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal and FCEFyN, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba-CONICET, C.C. 495, 5000, Córdoba, Argentina.
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Shaver GR, Bret-Harte MS, Jones MH, Johnstone J, Gough L, Laundre J, Chapin FS. SPECIES COMPOSITION INTERACTS WITH FERTILIZER TO CONTROL LONG-TERM CHANGE IN TUNDRA PRODUCTIVITY. Ecology 2001. [DOI: 10.1890/0012-9658(2001)082[3163:sciwft]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Bret-Harte MS, Shaver GR, Zoerner JP, Johnstone JF, Wagner JL, Chavez AS, IV RFG, Lippert SC, Laundre JA. Developmental Plasticity Allows Betula nana to Dominate Tundra Subjected to an Altered Environment. Ecology 2001. [DOI: 10.2307/2680083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Bret-Harte MS, Shaver GR, Zoerner JP, Johnstone JF, Wagner JL, Chavez AS, Gunkelman RF, Lippert SC, Laundre JA. DEVELOPMENTAL PLASTICITY ALLOWSBETULA NANATO DOMINATE TUNDRA SUBJECTED TO AN ALTERED ENVIRONMENT. Ecology 2001. [DOI: 10.1890/0012-9658(2001)082[0018:dpabnt]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Bret-Harte MS, Baskin TI, Green PB. Auxin stimulates both deposition and breakdown of material in the pea outer epidermal cell wall, as measured interferometrically. Planta 1991; 185:462-471. [PMID: 24186522 DOI: 10.1007/bf00202954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/1991] [Accepted: 07/19/1991] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The effect of auxin on the mass per area in the outer epidermal walls of third internodes of Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska grown in dim red light was investigated using interference microscopy, and rates of net deposition of wall material were calculated. Examination of these net rates under different growth conditions showed that there is no simple relationship between the deposition of mass and growth. Net deposition can be proportional to growth when sufficient substrate for wall synthesis is available, as in intact plants, and in segments treated with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) plus glucose. Net deposition can cause thickening of the walls when growth is small, as in the case of segments kept without IAA in the presence or absence of glucose, or segments whose growth is inhibited with mannitol. When substrate is limited and growth is large, however, wall expansion can occur with no net deposition, or an actual net loss of wall material can even take place. Auxin appears to induce a breakdown in the walls of segments treated in the absence of glucose, although it promotes synthesis when glucose is present. It is likely that IAA always induces a breakdown of wall material, but that the breakdown is masked when substrate is available for synthesis. Our results indicate that pea epidermal cells have two different auxin-stimulated mechanisms, wall synthesis and wall breakdown, potentially available to loosen their outer epidermal walls to bring about cell enlargement, alternatives which could be employed to different extents depending on substrate conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Bret-Harte
- Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, 94305, Stanford, CA, USA
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Russell PJ, Wagner S, Rodland KD, Feinbaum RL, Russell JP, Bret-Harte MS, Free SJ, Metzenberg RL. Organization of the ribosomal ribonucleic acid genes in various wild-type strains and wild-collected strains of Neurospora. Mol Gen Genet 1984; 196:275-82. [PMID: 6092870 DOI: 10.1007/bf00328060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The organization of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) repeat unit in the standard wild-type strain of Neurospora crassa, 74-OR23-1A, and in 30 other wild-type strains and wild-collected strains of N. crassa, . tetrasperma, N. sitophila, N. intermedia, and N. discreta isolated from nature, was investigated by restriction enzyme digestion of genomic DNA, and probing of the Southern-blotted DNA fragments with specific cloned pieces of the rDNA unit from 74-OR23-1A. The size of the rDNA unit in 74-OR23-1A was shown to be 9.20 kilobase pairs (kb) from blotting data, and the average for all strains was 9.11 + 0.21 kb; standard error = 0.038; coefficient of variation (C.V.) = 2.34%. These data indicate that the rDNA repeat unit size has been highly conserved among the Neurospora strains investigated. However, while all strains have a conserved HindIII site near the 5' end of the 25 S rDNA coding sequence, a polymorphism in the number and/or position of HindIII sites in the nontranscribed spacer region was found between strains. The 74-OR23-1A strain has two HindIII sites in the spacer, while others have from 0 to at least 3. This restriction site polymorphism is strain-specific and not species-specific. It was confirmed for some strains by restriction analysis of clones containing most of the rDNA repeat unit. The current restriction map of the 74-OR23-1A rDNA repeat unit is presented.
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