Effect of Tree Radiation and Snow Accumulation on Subnivean Plant Life
How do snowpack depth and proximity to trees affect subnivean plant growth Robin Reibold Winter...
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Transcript of How do snowpack depth and proximity to trees affect subnivean plant growth Robin Reibold Winter...
How do snowpack depth and proximity to trees affect subnivean plant growth
Robin Reibold
Winter Ecology: Spring 2014Mountain Research Station,
University of Colorado, Boulder
Background
• Plant requirements for growth– Temp above freezing– Light for photosynthesis– Nutrients
• Light snow has the highest insulative value[1]
• Deep/Dense snow has lower light penetrance[2]
Hypothesis
• Being closer to trees will increase subnivean plant growth– Being near trees will increase snow depth over
clear areas[3]– Longwave radiation from tree
• Deeper snowpack will increase subnivean plant growth– Insulative value– Not too deep, still
need light getting through
Methods
• Three types of site– Meadow– Tree in Meadow– Tree in Forest
• 5 samples at each• Measured– Temp, depth,
amount of growth
W S N E
1
2
Observations
• Many tree sites had a thin layer (1-4cm) of snow on top of a thin layer of ice
• Despite the ice, some green shoots were still growing under and through
• Dominant species were grasses– Small number of forbs and mosses
• The bottom half of the meadow was very wind scoured meaning lower snowpacks
Comparison of sites
• The clear sites all had higher snowpack depths• Temperature was seemingly unaffected by proximity to trees• T depended on snowpack depth
Conclusions
• Snow depth is a more important factor for subnivean plant growth than proximity to trees
• Clear areas have higher productivity but trees seem to increase chance of success in a meadow
• Hypothesis is refuted– Being close to trees has negative effect on growth
• When combined with deep snow see no growth
– Deeper snowpack is best indicator
Citations
• [1]http://www.sciencepartners.info/?page_id=595• [2]Bohren C, Colors of snow, frozen waterfalls and icebergs,
JOSA, 23:12:p1646-52, 1983• [3]Lawrence D, Slater A, Contribution of snow condition
trends to future ground climate, Climate dynamics, 34:7-8:p969-81, 2010
• [4]Kappen L, Plant activity under snow and ice, with particular reference to lichens, Arctic, 46:4:p297-302, 1993
• [5]Olofsson J, Ericson L, Torp M, Stark S, Baxter R, Carbon balance of arctic tundra under increased snow cover mediated by a plant pathogen, Nature climate change, 1:p 220-23, 2011