Directional positive feedback and pattern at an alpine tree line

• Published in: Journal of Vegetation Science
• Main Authors: Alftine, Kathryn J., Malanson, George P.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2004
• Subjects: Tundra
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1654-1103.2004.tb02231.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1654-1103.2004.tb02231.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1654-1103.2004.tb02231.x

Abstract. The spatial pattern at alpine tree line may be part of a feedback process in which wind plays a central role. The basic aspects of such a feedback were embedded in a cellular automaton. Spatial metrics of the patterns generated by this simulation and those of observed patterns at a windy tree line site were ordinated using Principal Component Analysis. Only the simulations that included a directionally weighted feedback fell close to the observed sites in ordination space. MANOVA indicated that the directionally weighted feedback is most important in structuring the tree line pattern, but that random hotspots for establishment and the overall steepness of the environmental gradient from forest to tundra in space also have an effect. The importance of wind in determining feedback with the spatial pattern of a canopy indicates that nonlinear reactions to climatic change are likely.