Natural variation in snow depth and snow melt timing in the High Arctic have implications for soil and plant nutrient status and vegetation composition

• Published in: Arctic Science
• Main Authors: Moriana-Armendariz, Mikel, Nilsen, Lennart, Cooper, Elisabeth J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2022
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; General Agricultural and Biological Sciences; General Environmental Science; Arctic; Svalbard; Adventdalen; Dryas octopetala; Eriophorum; Eriophorum scheuchzeri; Salix polaris
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/as-2020-0025; https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full-xml/10.1139/as-2020-0025; https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/as-2020-0025

Snow cover is a key component in Arctic ecosystems and will likely be affected by changes in winter precipitation. Increased snow depth and consequent later snowmelt leads to greater microbial mineralization in winter, improving soil and vegetation nutrient status. We studied areas with naturally di...