plants in the arctic region changes in the landscape over time presented by marie silver
TRANSCRIPT
Plants in the Arctic RegionPlants in the Arctic Region
Changes in the Landscape over timeChanges in the Landscape over timePresented by Marie SilverPresented by Marie Silver
Map of AntarcticaMap of Antarctica
www.map-of-antarctica.us/
Antarctica CharacteristicsAntarctica Characteristics Covered in ice and snow – little land for plant Covered in ice and snow – little land for plant
colonizationcolonization ““Summer growing season” (Dec. – Feb.) near freezing.Summer growing season” (Dec. – Feb.) near freezing. High winds all year roundHigh winds all year round A virtual desert inland, several meters of snow fall along A virtual desert inland, several meters of snow fall along
coast annuallycoast annually No trees or shrubs, only two species flowering plants,( in No trees or shrubs, only two species flowering plants,( in
South Orkney Islands, the South Shetland Islands and South Orkney Islands, the South Shetland Islands and western Antarctic Peninsula.) western Antarctic Peninsula.)
Moss and lichen in wetter areas.Moss and lichen in wetter areas. Greatest species diversity along western side of Greatest species diversity along western side of
Antarctic Peninsula, where climate is generally warmer Antarctic Peninsula, where climate is generally warmer and wetter. and wetter.
Plant Life in the Antarctic Plant Life in the Antarctic RegionRegion
Antarctic Pearlwort Colobanthus quitensis
Hairgrass Deschampsia antarctica
Lichens, Verrucaria, Xanthoria, Turgidosculum (Mastodia),
Lecanora Mosses, Muelleriella crassifolia
Tussock Grass Puccinellia macquariensis
Tussock Grass, Falkland Islands
Photographs by Rob Seppelt
Map of Arctic RegionMap of Arctic Region
Fairbanks, Alaska, USABy Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Mapping TeamContact
Donald A. Walker
The colors on the map indicate the differences that occur in the general outward appearance of vegetation (physiognomy). The CAVM team grouped more than 400 described plant communities into 15 physiognomic units based on plant growth forms. An international team of arctic vegetation scientists representing the six countries of the Arctic—Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, and the United States—
prepared the map.
Basic Biomes Basic Biomes
TundraTundraTaigaTaiga
www.runet.eduwww.ulapland.fi/
TundraTundra
Tundra, from Finnish word Tundra, from Finnish word tunturitunturi, meaning treeless plain, meaning treeless plain Extremely cold climate Extremely cold climate
Winter -60 F (-51 C)Winter -60 F (-51 C) Summer 32 F (0 C) to 50 F (10 C)Summer 32 F (0 C) to 50 F (10 C) > 55 days per year with a mean temperature higher than 32 F (0 C). > 55 days per year with a mean temperature higher than 32 F (0 C).
Low biotic diversity Low biotic diversity Simple vegetation structure Simple vegetation structure Limitation of drainage Limitation of drainage Short season of growth and reproduction – 6-10 weeksShort season of growth and reproduction – 6-10 weeks Energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic material Energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic material Large population oscillations Large population oscillations Annual precipitation > 10” yearAnnual precipitation > 10” year Plants: low lying, small leaved, shallow rooted. Mosses, grasses, herbs, Plants: low lying, small leaved, shallow rooted. Mosses, grasses, herbs,
lichens and small shrubs. lichens and small shrubs.
www.mbgnet.net
Tundra
Tundra LandscapeTundra Landscape
Tussock Sedge, dwarf shrub, moss Low Shrub
Sedge grass, moss wetland Low grass, forbs, low shrub
www.arcticatlas.org
Tundra PlantsTundra Plants
Arctic Moss, Arctic Moss, Calliergon giganteumCalliergon giganteum
Arctic Willow, Salix arctica
Reindeer Lichen / Caribou Moss, Cladonia rangiferina
Purple Saxifrage, Saxifraga oppositifolia
www.iwebquest.com
Tundra Plant FactsTundra Plant Facts Often reproduce by rootstocks or runnerOften reproduce by rootstocks or runner Grow in clumps to create microclimatesGrow in clumps to create microclimates May bloom from buds that are one to two May bloom from buds that are one to two
years oldyears old Seed may germinate and grow while still Seed may germinate and grow while still
attached to parent plantattached to parent plant Similar to desert plants, aerial parts reduced Similar to desert plants, aerial parts reduced
in favor of root mass, larger roots capable of in favor of root mass, larger roots capable of storing enough energy and minerals to allow storing enough energy and minerals to allow instant growth in springinstant growth in spring
TaigaTaiga Found in regions of subarctic Found in regions of subarctic
and cold continental climate. and cold continental climate. Long, severe winters (six months Long, severe winters (six months with mean temperatures below with mean temperatures below freezing), short summers (50 to freezing), short summers (50 to 100 frost-free days) 100 frost-free days)
Dominant species: tamarack, Dominant species: tamarack, spruce, fir, mosses, ferns. spruce, fir, mosses, ferns. Typically needle leaf plants Typically needle leaf plants adapted to cold and droughtadapted to cold and drought
Sparse food supply, supports Sparse food supply, supports fewer animal species than a fewer animal species than a more deciduous dominant more deciduous dominant system (fewer than tundra system (fewer than tundra environment)environment)
www.runet.edu
Taiga PlantsTaiga Plants
White and Black SpruceWhite and Black SprucePicea glaucaPicea glauca, , Picea marianaPicea mariana Jack Pine, Jack Pine, Pinus banksianaPinus banksiana
Balsam Fir, Balsam Fir, Abies balsamiaAbies balsamia
www.blueplanetbiomes.org
Linking the Arctic to Your Linking the Arctic to Your CurriculumCurriculum
Arctic plant study, comparing biomes (e,g, Arctic plant study, comparing biomes (e,g, tundra to bog, arctic tundra to alpine tundra)tundra to bog, arctic tundra to alpine tundra)
Antarctic plant study, cold desert versus warm Antarctic plant study, cold desert versus warm desertdesert
Plant adaptations in general, growing seasonsPlant adaptations in general, growing seasons Climate Change, what can plants teach us, Climate Change, what can plants teach us,
which plant communities most vulnerablewhich plant communities most vulnerable
Suggested Disciplines for InquirySuggested Disciplines for Inquiry Plant AdaptationsPlant Adaptations – Studying plant responses to cold – Studying plant responses to cold
temperatures, low moisture conditions, short growing temperatures, low moisture conditions, short growing seasons. seasons.
PhenologyPhenology - studying timing of recurring natural - studying timing of recurring natural phenomena in response to seasonal and climatic phenomena in response to seasonal and climatic changes to the environment. changes to the environment.
SuccessionSuccession - the observed process of change in the - the observed process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over timespecies structure of an ecological community over time
LichenometryLichenometry - a method of numerical dating that uses - a method of numerical dating that uses the size of lichen colonies on a rock surface to determine the size of lichen colonies on a rock surface to determine the surface's age. Lichenometry is used for rock surfaces the surface's age. Lichenometry is used for rock surfaces less than about 10,000 years old. less than about 10,000 years old.
Dendrochronology/ DendroclimatologyDendrochronology/ Dendroclimatology - using tree - using tree rings to analyze temporal and spatial patterns of various rings to analyze temporal and spatial patterns of various processes (biological, physical, or cultural) - the study of processes (biological, physical, or cultural) - the study of tree rings to infer past climatictree rings to infer past climatic conditions, based on conditions, based on recent growth-climate relations.recent growth-climate relations.
Comparing BiomesComparing Biomes
Temperate DeciduousTemperate Deciduous TundraTundra
TaigaTaiga BogBog
http://whrc.org/capecod
Northern TemperateNorthern Temperate Early plants boreal or taiga (relicts of this remain, e.g. Early plants boreal or taiga (relicts of this remain, e.g.
Tamarack, ground pine, mosses)Tamarack, ground pine, mosses) Typical forest plant combinations include mixed deciduous Typical forest plant combinations include mixed deciduous
(maple, oak, nut trees) and pine, flowering shrubs and (maple, oak, nut trees) and pine, flowering shrubs and grasses (generally shade tolerant species of all kinds)grasses (generally shade tolerant species of all kinds)
Meadows, grasslands - soil tends to be deep and fertile, Meadows, grasslands - soil tends to be deep and fertile, three types of grassland, tall, mixed grass and short. three types of grassland, tall, mixed grass and short. Grasslands often managed through fire or grazing. Largest Grasslands often managed through fire or grazing. Largest areas in the U.S., found in the midwest where extreme areas in the U.S., found in the midwest where extreme weather (cold winters, hot summers) predominates. weather (cold winters, hot summers) predominates.
Continental glaciers receded Continental glaciers receded 10,000 - 12,000 years ago10,000 - 12,000 years ago
Early climate (after glaciers) cool Early climate (after glaciers) cool and moist, followed by warmer and moist, followed by warmer drier periods. Average drier periods. Average temperatures of 50 degrees F.temperatures of 50 degrees F.
BogBog
Open or sparsely treed wetland area poor in mineral Open or sparsely treed wetland area poor in mineral nutrients, water supplied exclusively by precipitation; nutrients, water supplied exclusively by precipitation; typically acidic.typically acidic.
Found in variety of successional stages including tundra, Found in variety of successional stages including tundra, taiga and deciduous/climax forests. Plant species and taiga and deciduous/climax forests. Plant species and soil composition similar to tundra.soil composition similar to tundra.
Like arctic, unique and demanding physical and chemical Like arctic, unique and demanding physical and chemical characteristics of bogs result in plant communities with characteristics of bogs result in plant communities with special adaptations to low nutrient levels, waterlogged special adaptations to low nutrient levels, waterlogged conditions, and acidic waters, e.g. carnivorous plants. conditions, and acidic waters, e.g. carnivorous plants.
Plants: sphagnum moss, cotton grass, cranberry, Plants: sphagnum moss, cotton grass, cranberry, blueberry, pine, Labrador tea, and tamarack.blueberry, pine, Labrador tea, and tamarack.
Areas of Inquiry: Plant AdaptationsAreas of Inquiry: Plant Adaptations
Using fast plants to explore:Using fast plants to explore: How plants adapt to cold, dry conditions, sun angle, How plants adapt to cold, dry conditions, sun angle,
boggy conditions, high winds, short growing seasonboggy conditions, high winds, short growing season Research “strategies” plants have developed to Research “strategies” plants have developed to
succeed, dispersal mechanisms, nitrogen succeed, dispersal mechanisms, nitrogen utilization, faster germination, longer life cyclesutilization, faster germination, longer life cycles
Comparing and contrasting plants in temperate Comparing and contrasting plants in temperate areas, deserts, sub-tropical areas to Arctic and areas, deserts, sub-tropical areas to Arctic and Antarctic regionsAntarctic regions
ResourcesResources
Research progress on climate change impacts in the Siberian Taiga Research progress on climate change impacts in the Siberian Taiga http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/SiberiaBlog
Woods Hole Research Center provides current research on critical Woods Hole Research Center provides current research on critical habitats habitats http://whrc.org/
Wisconsin Fastplants official website Wisconsin Fastplants official website www.fastplants.org
BluePlanet Biomes provides plant lists for tundra, taiga other BluePlanet Biomes provides plant lists for tundra, taiga other ecosystems, ecosystems, http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/taiga.htm
Phenology – BackgroundPhenology – Backgroundfrom the Greek phainomai, "to appear"from the Greek phainomai, "to appear"
Historical contextHistorical context Thomas Jefferson – MonticelloThomas Jefferson – Monticello Early 1900’s – Dr. McKay – Thousand Eyes Project, Early 1900’s – Dr. McKay – Thousand Eyes Project,
Smithsonian flowering study, Aldo Leopold, Japanese Cherry Smithsonian flowering study, Aldo Leopold, Japanese Cherry BlossomsBlossoms
Recent WorkRecent Work Cornell Lilac Study and Project Budbreak, Oregon State Cornell Lilac Study and Project Budbreak, Oregon State
University Phenology Project, USA – NPN, Univ. of Wisconsin, University Phenology Project, USA – NPN, Univ. of Wisconsin, Green Bay Cofrin Center for BiodiversityGreen Bay Cofrin Center for Biodiversity
Student Participation ProjectsStudent Participation Projects Project GLOBE, Project Budburst, PlantWatch, Earth AliveProject GLOBE, Project Budburst, PlantWatch, Earth Alive
Phenology ResourcesPhenology ResourcesArticlesArticles and Links and Links““Warming Trend Spells Early Arrival of Warming Trend Spells Early Arrival of
Spring”, Rebecca James, Syracuse Spring”, Rebecca James, Syracuse Post Standard, 12/19/04Post Standard, 12/19/04
Phenology, The Study Of Nature's Cycles Phenology, The Study Of Nature's Cycles Of Life, Of Life, http://www.sws-wis.com/lifecycles/index.html
Nat’l Sustainable Agriculture Info Service, Nat’l Sustainable Agriculture Info Service, Phenology links, Phenology links, http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/phenology.html
The USA National Phenology Network The USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN) facilitates collection and (USA-NPN) facilitates collection and dissemination of phenological data to dissemination of phenological data to support global change research. support global change research. http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/Geography/npn/
Backyard Nature: Phenology, Noting Backyard Nature: Phenology, Noting When Things Happen, When Things Happen, http://www.backyardnature.net/phenolhttp://www.backyardnature.net/phenolgy.htmgy.htm
"Early-blooming lilacs are a sign of spring; "Early-blooming lilacs are a sign of spring; and global warming", and global warming", Desert News (Salt Lake City), Dec 16, , Dec 16, 2004 by William Kates Associated 2004 by William Kates Associated PressPress
Lilac Data Sets: Schwartz, M.D. and Lilac Data Sets: Schwartz, M.D. and J.M. Caprio, 2003,North American J.M. Caprio, 2003,North American First Leaf and First Bloom Lilac First Leaf and First Bloom Lilac Phenology Data, IGBP PAGES/World Phenology Data, IGBP PAGES/World Data Center for Paleoclimatology Data Data Center for Paleoclimatology Data Contribution Series # 2003-Contribution Series # 2003-078.NOAA/NGDC Paleoclimatology 078.NOAA/NGDC Paleoclimatology Program, Boulder CO, Program, Boulder CO, hthttp://ftp.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/paleotp://ftp.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/paleo/phenology/north_america_lilac.txt/phenology/north_america_lilac.txt
National Center for Atmospheric Research, 2005, http://www.ncar.ucar.edu/
Phenology Resources, Cont.
Student Involvement in PhenologyStudent Involvement in Phenology
Project Budburst, students collect data on plant life cycle stages and participate in a Project Budburst, students collect data on plant life cycle stages and participate in a national database collection effort, www.budburst.orgnational database collection effort, www.budburst.org
The Globe Program, classes participate using established protocol, monitoring The Globe Program, classes participate using established protocol, monitoring environmental changes includes Project Budburst, Lilac Project, Hummingbird environmental changes includes Project Budburst, Lilac Project, Hummingbird Migration, Green up and Green down, Arctic Bird Migration, www.globe.govMigration, Green up and Green down, Arctic Bird Migration, www.globe.gov(contact Betty Connor, North Star Borough School District, Fairbanks AK, (contact Betty Connor, North Star Borough School District, Fairbanks AK, [email protected])[email protected])
Blooming Thermometers, activity demonstrating environmental affect on plant life cycles, Blooming Thermometers, activity demonstrating environmental affect on plant life cycles, NCAR, Climate Discovery Teachers Guide.NCAR, Climate Discovery Teachers Guide.
Earth Alive: http://www.naturenet.com/Earthalive/choosesort.asp?ObsId=Earth Alive: http://www.naturenet.com/Earthalive/choosesort.asp?ObsId=
Plantwatch: contains protocol, teacher guides and lessons Plantwatch: contains protocol, teacher guides and lessons http://plantwatch.sunsite.ualberta.ca/archive/http://plantwatch.sunsite.ualberta.ca/archive/
Changes in Arctic Plant DominanceChanges in Arctic Plant Dominance
Ecological succession" the Ecological succession" the observed process of change in observed process of change in species structure of an ecological species structure of an ecological community over time. Within any community over time. Within any community some species may community some species may become less abundant over some become less abundant over some time interval, or they may even time interval, or they may even vanish from the ecosystem vanish from the ecosystem altogether. Similarly, over some altogether. Similarly, over some time interval, other species in the time interval, other species in the community may become more community may become more abundant, or new species enter abundant, or new species enter the community from adjacent the community from adjacent ecosystems. This observed ecosystems. This observed change over time is "ecological change over time is "ecological succession".succession". http://mff.dsisd.net
From Tundra to ForestFrom Tundra to Forest
Exploring what a warming arctic region Exploring what a warming arctic region can mean for plant lifecan mean for plant life
What kind of work has been done on this What kind of work has been done on this subject (Glacier Bay, The Tundra Project)subject (Glacier Bay, The Tundra Project)
Comparing change in the arctic region to Comparing change in the arctic region to change closer to homechange closer to home
Natural History of Glacier BayNatural History of Glacier Bay Bay is laboratory for study of ice-Bay is laboratory for study of ice-
recessional phenomena and post-recessional phenomena and post-glacial biotic succession, under ice glacial biotic succession, under ice 250 years ago, recent ice retreat 250 years ago, recent ice retreat observed and well documented. observed and well documented. Except higher elevations, retreating ice Except higher elevations, retreating ice revealed extensive land and coastal revealed extensive land and coastal area Key area Key
Findings: moist lowland - post-glacial Findings: moist lowland - post-glacial barrens succeed from tundra, through barrens succeed from tundra, through shrub land to young forest in 250 shrub land to young forest in 250 years; Plant colonization takes only a years; Plant colonization takes only a few years, early vegetation mat is few years, early vegetation mat is long-lasting with change occurring long-lasting with change occurring primarily in response to physical primarily in response to physical changes, e.g slope and drainage, changes, e.g slope and drainage, rather than biological changes, such rather than biological changes, such as competition; as competition;
Warming increases nitrogen Warming increases nitrogen mineralization (and longer growing mineralization (and longer growing season) favors shrub species over season) favors shrub species over other plant forms within 200 years. other plant forms within 200 years. After 200 years new plant forms After 200 years new plant forms predominate, often those not predominate, often those not normally found in the arctic normally found in the arctic environment. environment.
www.inforain.org/glacierbay
Recent Research on Glacial Recent Research on Glacial Recession/Climate ChangeRecession/Climate Change
• Earlier hypotheses –White Spruce trees continue as dominant taiga species may be false (strong adaptation to cool wet conditions)
• Tundra Biome becomes increasingly compressed between Boreal and Arctic Ocean
• Certain species, habitats highly vulnerable to changes in temperature/moisture/snow cover
• Invasives may complicate species adaptations
Succession MovieSuccession Movie
http://wps.prenhall.com/http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_freeman_biosci_1/7/1958/501374.cwesm_freeman_biosci_1/7/1958/501374.cw/index.html/index.html
http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/489/501340/CDA50_2/objects/489/501340/CDA50_2/CDA50_2b/CDA50_2b.htmCDA50_2b/CDA50_2b.htm
Comparing Glacier Bay/Arctic to Your Region
How does the transition occurring in Glacier Bay How does the transition occurring in Glacier Bay compare to transitions found in your region such as:compare to transitions found in your region such as: Farm meadow to forestFarm meadow to forest Lake to swampLake to swamp Swamp to meadowSwamp to meadow
What are most important factors for plant What are most important factors for plant community transitions (succession) in your area as community transitions (succession) in your area as compared to the Arctic (fire, climate, human compared to the Arctic (fire, climate, human intervention)intervention)
Succession ResourcesSuccession ResourcesArticlesArticlesGastaldo, R.A., DiMichele, W.A.,and Gastaldo, R.A., DiMichele, W.A.,and
Pfefferkorn, H.W. Out of the Pfefferkorn, H.W. Out of the Icehouse into the Greenhouse: A Icehouse into the Greenhouse: A Late Paleozoic Analogue for Late Paleozoic Analogue for Modern Global Vegetational Modern Global Vegetational
Change: GSA today v. 10, p. 1-7.Change: GSA today v. 10, p. 1-7. Climate Change and Biodiversity in Climate Change and Biodiversity in
the Arctic-Nordic Perspectives, the Arctic-Nordic Perspectives, Phillip A Wookey. Conference; Phillip A Wookey. Conference; Melting Ice – A Hot TopicMelting Ice – A Hot Topic
Duke Forest Succession, Duke Forest Succession, http://www.dukeforest.duke.edu/forest/succession.htm
Succession in Michigan Forests, Succession in Michigan Forests, http://mff.dsisd.net/Environment/Shttp://mff.dsisd.net/Environment/Succession.htmuccession.htm
ActivitiesActivitiesTundra to Taiga Board Game: A Tundra to Taiga Board Game: A
modification of the Floristic Relay modification of the Floristic Relay game, http://umassk12.net/IPYgame, http://umassk12.net/IPY
Biological Succession in a Macro and Biological Succession in a Macro and Microecosystem –lab exercises using Microecosystem –lab exercises using microbes http://umassk12.net/IPYmicrobes http://umassk12.net/IPY
Ecosystems and Climate Activities – using Ecosystems and Climate Activities – using fastplants or other quick germinating fastplants or other quick germinating seeds to demonstrate succession seeds to demonstrate succession (University of Illinois) (University of Illinois) http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/ecosystems/teacherguide1.html
Glaciers of Kenai Fjords, Activities Glaciers of Kenai Fjords, Activities exploring relationship between exploring relationship between ecological and geographical chance ecological and geographical chance and glaciation, National Park Service, and glaciation, National Park Service, Alaska, Alaska, http://www.nps.gov/akso/ParkWise/Tehttp://www.nps.gov/akso/ParkWise/Teachers/Nature/KEFJ_Glaciersachers/Nature/KEFJ_Glaciers
How Polar Scientists Use How Polar Scientists Use LichenometryLichenometry
Early work in Lichenometry - geologic Early work in Lichenometry - geologic dating of substrates dating of substrates
Current: primarily used for corroboration or Current: primarily used for corroboration or for recently receding glaciers (past 500 for recently receding glaciers (past 500 years)years)
Other applications – historic sites, Other applications – historic sites, biological indicatorsbiological indicators
Activities and Articles: LichenometryActivities and Articles: Lichenometry
ArticlesArticlesUsing Lichenometry in human history Using Lichenometry in human history
applications applications http://www.primaryresearch.org/research.php
““Lichens, Lichenometry and Global Lichens, Lichenometry and Global Warming” by Richard Armstrong. Warming” by Richard Armstrong. MicrobiologistMicrobiologist, Sept 2004, Sept 2004
Using Lichenometric data curves in Using Lichenometric data curves in Southern Norway to date rocks Southern Norway to date rocks http://mc2.vicnet.net.au/home/date/web/lich.html
Dating glacial Landforms using Dating glacial Landforms using Lichenometry Lichenometry http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2002NC/fihttp://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2002NC/finalprogram/abstract_32236.htmnalprogram/abstract_32236.htm
ActivitiesActivitiesLichenometry: An Accessible Method Lichenometry: An Accessible Method
for Dating Recent History for Dating Recent History (Geological and Manmade) (Geological and Manmade) www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fairprojects/project_ideas/Geo_p009.shtml?from=Home
Studying an Alaskan Glacier using Studying an Alaskan Glacier using Lichenometry Lichenometry http://alaskaclimate.org/Tutorial/ltpage1.html
Other ResourcesOther Resources
Biomes of the World, Biomes of the World, http://www.mbgnet.net/index.html
A Natural History of Glacier Bay, A Natural History of Glacier Bay, http://www.inforain.org/glacierbay/catalog/htm/nathist.htm
Arctic Geobotanical Atlas Arctic Geobotanical Atlas http://www.arcticatlas.org/index
Antarctic Background, ActivitiesAntarctic Background, Activitieswww.classroom.antarctica.gov.auhttp://www.antarctica.ac.ukhttp://www.antarctica.ac.uk
