The direct and indirect effects temperature and snow depth have on the germination of the alpine plant Dryas octopetala

• Main Author: Wold, Mina Svendsen
• Other Authors: Roos, Ruben
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås 2022
• Subjects: VDP::Landbruks- og Fiskerifag: 900; Arctic; Adventdalen; Endalen; Climate change; Dryas octopetala
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3030957

High-arctic ecosystems are facing rapid changes due to climate change. These regions are predicted to be heavily affect and see changes at a higher rate than any other. Temperature and snow depth are two climatic factors that heavily influences the arctic landscape. They affect the flora`s growing season, reproductive success, and seed germination. They can also have an indirect effect on flora by affecting the seed mass, length, and microbial activity. A plant’s ability to have successful sexual reproduction determines the species genotype and its ability to withstand climatic changes in the future. The purpose of this study was to have in suito snow fence experiments at Adventdalen and temperature manipulation experiments (OTC) at Endalen, that explored how snow depth and temperature affects the germination rate of Dryas octopetala L (hereafter D.octopetala). D.octopetala is a widely distributed arctic dwarf shrub, that has a long lifespan, relatively early spring activity, and similar reproductive rates as other arctic dwarf shrubs. The seeds for the temperature treatment were collected by Simone Lang in 2020 and the seeds for the snow-depth treatment were collected by Elizabeth Cooper, in 2020. The germination itself was conducted under optimal conditions in a climate room on agar. Information about the seeds mass, seed length, day germination started, day germination ended, and mold occurrence were registered. The data was analyzed with general linear regression models and ggplots. For the snow depth treatment, the variables “treatment method”, “seed mass” and “mold” occurrence seemed to influence the seed’s ability to germinate. Seed length had no effect on germination. Snow depth also appears to have an indirect effect on seed mass and mold. For the OTC treatment, treatment, mass, and mold appears to influence seed germination, however treatment to a lesser degree. OTC treatment also appears to have an indirect effect on seed mass and mold occurrence. The results from this experiment indicates that snow ...