Implications of alder shrub growth for alpine tundra soil properties in Interior Alaska

1Citations
Citations of this article
11Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

The increase in deciduous shrub growth in response to climate change throughout the Arctic tundra has uncertain implications, in part due to a lack of field observations. Here we investigate how increasing alder shrub growth in alpine tundra in Interior Alaska corresponds to active layer thickness and soil physical properties. We documented increased alder growth by combining biomass harvests and dendrochronology with the analysis of remotely sensed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and fire history. Active layer thickness was measured with a tile probe and carbon and nitrogen pools were assessed via elemental analysis. Shallower organic layers under increasing alder growth indicate that nitrogen-rich, deciduous litter inputs may play a role in accelerating decomposition. Despite the observed reduction in organic carbon stocks, active layer thickness was the same under alder and adjacent graminoid tundra, implying deeper thaw of the underlying mineral soil. This study provides further evidence that the widely observed expansion of deciduous shrubs into graminoid tundra will reduce ecosystem carbon stocks and intensify soil–atmosphere thermal coupling.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Welch, A. M., Pedron, S. A., Jespersen, R. G., Xu, X., Martinez, B., Khazindar, Y., … Czimczik, C. I. (2023). Implications of alder shrub growth for alpine tundra soil properties in Interior Alaska. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 55(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/15230430.2023.2285334

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free