Responses of a high Arctic heath to long-term ambient and experimental warming ...

• Main Author: Hudson, James Michael
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2009
• Subjects: Arctic; Nunavut; Alexandra Fiord; Tundra
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0067119; https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0067119

The Canadian High Arctic has been warming for several decades and is predicted to undergo substantially more warming over the next century. Increased temperatures are expected to alter the composition, structure, and function of Arctic plant communities. To better understand High Arctic tundra responses to climate warming, I conducted longitudinal and experimental studies in a snowbed heath plant community at Alexandra Fiord, Nunavut (79°N). I collected data in 2007 and 2008 and used data previously collected (1981-2006) by others for this project. Responses to ambient warming were measured by using a point-intercept method in permanent plots (1995-2007) and a biomass harvest comparison (1981 to 2008). To quantify responses to experimental warming, I analyzed point‐intercept data (1996, 2000, and 2007) in plots that were passively warmed by open‐top chambers (OTCs) beginning in 1992. Experimental warming increased mean annual temperature by about 1°C from 1992, while ambient warming increased mean annual ...