1. Clonal Diversity in an Expanding Community of Arctic Salix spp. and a Model for Recruitment Modes of Arctic Plants
- Author
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Nadine Sur, Vladimir Douhovnikoff, M. Syndonia Bret-Harte, Ken D. Tape, Cherrie Huang, and Gregory R. Goldsmith
- Subjects
Abiotic component ,Global and Planetary Change ,education.field_of_study ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,ved/biology ,Ecology ,ved/biology.organism_classification_rank.species ,Population ,0211 other engineering and technologies ,food and beverages ,Climate change ,02 engineering and technology ,Biology ,01 natural sciences ,Shrub ,Arctic ,Biological dispersal ,Ecosystem ,Arctic vegetation ,education ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,021101 geological & geomatics engineering ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Earth-Surface Processes - Abstract
Rapid climate change in arctic environments is leading to a widespread expansion in woody deciduous shrub populations. However, little is known about the reproductive, dispersal, and establishment mechanisms associated with shrub expansion. It is assumed that harsh environmental conditions impose limitations on plant sexual reproduction in the Arctic, such that population survival and expansion is predominately a function of clonal recruitment. We present contrary evidence from microsatellite genetic data suggesting the prevalence of recruitment by seed. Further, we present a conceptual model describing modes of recruitment in relation to the abiotic environment. Climate change may be alleviating abiotic stress so that resources are available for more frequent recruitment by seed. Such changes have widespread implications for ecosystem structure and functioning, including species composition, wildlife habitat, biogeochemical cycling, and surface energy balance.
- Published
- 2010
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