A Winter Comparison Study of Dominant Alpine Plant Communities in the Southern Rocky Mountains and the Chugach Mountains of Southern Alaska What factors control treeline and species distribution? Kyle Cunningham Winter Ecology – Spring 2006 Mountain Research Station – University of Colorado, Boulder

Questions How does treeline change with Latitude? How does treeline change with Latitude? What factors control winter treeline communities? What factors control winter treeline communities? Are latitude and elevation predominant controls? Are latitude and elevation predominant controls? What other factors are involved? What other factors are involved? Which factors are most likely to influence sub- alpine and treeline communities? Which factors are most likely to influence sub- alpine and treeline communities?

Physical Setting Southern Rocky Mtns. Southern Rocky Mtns. Northern Hemisphere Northern Hemisphere Latitude : 40 degrees N Latitude : 40 degrees N N/S tending range N/S tending range Over 4830 km. long (for entire range) Over 4830 km. long (for entire range) Width Range : km. Width Range : km. Elevation Range : 1500 m (plains) – 4399m Elevation Range : 1500 m (plains) – 4399m Highest Peak : Mt. Elbert – 4399m (14,400 ft.) Highest Peak : Mt. Elbert – 4399m (14,400 ft.)

Physical Setting Chugach Mtns. Chugach Mtns. Northern Hemisphere Northern Hemisphere Latitude : 61 degrees N Latitude : 61 degrees N E/W tending range E/W tending range Over 482 km long Over 482 km long Average Elevations : 2438m – 3353m Average Elevations : 2438m – 3353m Highest Peak: Mt. Marcus Baker – 4016m. Highest Peak: Mt. Marcus Baker – 4016m. **Coastal Mountain Range** **Coastal Mountain Range**

Climate Southern Rocky Mtns. Southern Rocky Mtns. Avg. Winter Temperature: degrees C. Avg. Winter Temperature: degrees C. Avg. Annual Precipitation: 36cm Avg. Annual Precipitation: 36cm Snow Cover: 25cm - 152cm (depth) Snow Cover: 25cm - 152cm (depth) Chugach Mtns. Avg. Winter Temperature: degrees C. (would be colder, but insulated by the ocean) Avg. Annual Precipitation: 41cm – 177cm (coastal influence) Snow Cover: 152cm – 203cm (depth)

Treeline Elevation Rocky Mountains Rocky Mountains Average Treeline Elevation: 3,400 – 4,000m Average Treeline Elevation: 3,400 – 4,000m Chugach Mountains Average Treeline Elevation: 300 – 500m

What’s the Point? Treeline change with elevation How does treeline elevation vary with latitude? How does treeline elevation vary with latitude? General rule of thumb: Treeline decreases with increasing latitudes at a rate of 100m/degree of latitude. (Sveinbjörnsson) General rule of thumb: Treeline decreases with increasing latitudes at a rate of 100m/degree of latitude. (Sveinbjörnsson) Maximum treeline of 4000m in Mexico Maximum treeline of 4000m in Mexico Minimum treeline of m at Canadian/Alaskan border. Minimum treeline of m at Canadian/Alaskan border. *Values are calculated for the Rocky Mountains *Values are calculated for the Rocky Mountains They can be interpreted to other ranges world wide, but with a degree of error. They can be interpreted to other ranges world wide, but with a degree of error.

Dominant Sub/Alpine Winter Plants in the Southern Rockies Riparian: Willow, Alder, *Aspen, (deciduous dom.) Riparian: Willow, Alder, *Aspen, (deciduous dom.) Sub-Alpine: Aspen, *Sub- Alpine Fir, Engelmann Spruce, Lodgepole Pine, Limber Pine (mixed aspen/fir dom.) Sub-Alpine: Aspen, *Sub- Alpine Fir, Engelmann Spruce, Lodgepole Pine, Limber Pine (mixed aspen/fir dom.) Treeline ( m): *Englemann Spruce, Limber Pine, Lodgepole Pine (Spruce dom.) Treeline ( m): *Englemann Spruce, Limber Pine, Lodgepole Pine (Spruce dom.) Dominance with increasing elevation: Aspen  Fir  Spruce. Dominance with increasing elevation: Aspen  Fir  Spruce. Aspen Englemann Spruce * = Most dominant species

Dominant Sub/Alpine Winter Plants in the Chugach Mountains Riparian: *Black Cottonwood, *Paper Birch, *Balsam Poplar, Aspen, Lodgepole Pine (only pine in Alaska), willows. (deciduous dom.) Riparian: *Black Cottonwood, *Paper Birch, *Balsam Poplar, Aspen, Lodgepole Pine (only pine in Alaska), willows. (deciduous dom.) Sub-Alpine: *Sitka Alder, Balsam Poplar, *Pacific Silver fir, Mtn./Western Hemlock (mixed fir/alder dom.) Sub-Alpine: *Sitka Alder, Balsam Poplar, *Pacific Silver fir, Mtn./Western Hemlock (mixed fir/alder dom.) Treeline ( m): *Sitka Spruce (south facing slopes), *White Spruce (north facing), Black Spruce, Mtn. Hemlock (spruce dominated) Treeline ( m): *Sitka Spruce (south facing slopes), *White Spruce (north facing), Black Spruce, Mtn. Hemlock (spruce dominated) Dominance with increasing elevation: Birch/poplar/cottonwood  Alder/fir  White/Sitka Spruce Dominance with increasing elevation: Birch/poplar/cottonwood  Alder/fir  White/Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce * = Most dominant species

What’s the Point? Why do we find certain species in certain areas? Can elevation and latitude be and accurate predictor of winter plant communities? Can elevation and latitude be and accurate predictor of winter plant communities? Much more complicated than just two factors Much more complicated than just two factors Other factors include : *annual precipitation (coastal influences), *sunlight exposure (highly variable in Alaska), *ecological ranges (native species/established population), depth of snow pack, seed dispersal, geographical isolation, disturbances. Other factors include : *annual precipitation (coastal influences), *sunlight exposure (highly variable in Alaska), *ecological ranges (native species/established population), depth of snow pack, seed dispersal, geographical isolation, disturbances. Conclusion : There is some correlation, but altitude and elevation are not the predominant controls on winter tree populations. Conclusion : There is some correlation, but altitude and elevation are not the predominant controls on winter tree populations. Conclusion : Temperature tolerance (killing temperature) is a main control on species distribution. Aspen, Poplar, and White/Black spruce can tolerate -80 degree C temps, but do not respond well to warm temps (respiration exceeds photosynthesis). (Marchand) Conclusion : Temperature tolerance (killing temperature) is a main control on species distribution. Aspen, Poplar, and White/Black spruce can tolerate -80 degree C temps, but do not respond well to warm temps (respiration exceeds photosynthesis). (Marchand) Conclusion : Increased precipitation and larger winter snowpack due to coastal inputs, mean high water content for Chugach.  More deciduous trees. Conclusion : Increased precipitation and larger winter snowpack due to coastal inputs, mean high water content for Chugach.  More deciduous trees. Conclusion : Less ppt. and snowpack means less available water for tree species in the Rockies.  More coniferous trees. Conclusion : Less ppt. and snowpack means less available water for tree species in the Rockies.  More coniferous trees.

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