DOCSLIB.ORG

286999732.Pdf

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
286999732.Pdf INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zed) Road, Ann Arbor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. FORAGING ECOLOGY OF FEMALE DALL’S SHEEP IN THE BROOKS RANGE, ALASKA A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of the University of Alaska in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY By Michael Charles Hansen, B.S., M.S. Fairbanks, Alaska May 1996 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 9632222 UMI Microform 9632222 Copyright 19%, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. FORAGING ECOLOGY OF FEMALE DALL’S SHEEP IN THE BROOKS RANGE, ALASKA by Michael Charles Hansen RECOMMENDED: Lo ■ fckt/C ttd O Advisory Committee Chair Vkk 1 . —-t, Department rHead \ APPROVED: Dean, College of Natural Resources Dean of the Graduate School Date Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT Most wild sheep (Ovis) are primarily diurnal. Thus, extreme cold, darkness, and limited quantities of low-quality forage during long winters above the Arctic Circle present a formidable challenge for sheep. Further, summer is particularly short at these high latitudes, providing little time for sheep to accumulate energy reserves for winter. This thesis discusses dietary and behavioral responses of wild sheep to the constraints of Arctic environments. Specifically, I determined diet composition and selection, forage quality, nutrient intake, and activity budgets of adult female Dali’s sheep (ewes) (Ovis dalli dalli) near the northern extreme of the range of wild sheep for 2 years and constructed a model of the energy relationships of these animals. Ewes primarily consumed forbs and grasses during summer, and strongly selected forbs over other forages in accordance with the predictions of optimal foraging theory. Diets primarily consisted of grasses in early winter, shifted to sedges in February, and back to grasses in early spring. Shrubs were consistently the least selected class of forage. When the diet was composed of forages with varying digestibility, microhistologjcal analyses not corrected for differential digestibility were biased toward less digestible forage. Winter forage available to Dali’s sheep in the northern Brooks Range was low in both digestibility and protein content. In early summer ewes foraged during all hours of the day when sunlight was present for 24 hours. Sheep restricted their foraging almost entirely to daylight hours near the equinoxes, and foraged during all available hours of light, as well as 2.8 hours of the Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. night in December. Daily foraging time varied from 12.9 hours in June to 7.9 hours in December, and, when measured on a daily basis, was positively correlated with average windchill and daylength. Ash-free fecal nitrogen and in vitro digestible dry matter were most highly correlated with activity level on a monthly basis. Energetics modeling indicated that ewes were in a negative energy balance for 6-8 months each winter and lost nearly 30% of their body weight. Duration of the short summer growing period was most important for weight gain, and presence of deep snow determined weight loss in winter. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................... v LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................................................ix LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................xii INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1. COMPARISON OF THREE METHODS FOR EVALUATING ACTIVITY OF DALL’S SHEEP............................................................................6 ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................... 6 INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................7 STUDY AREA................................................................................................................8 METHODS..................................................................................................................... 9 Data Collection ............................................................................................................9 Analyses......................................................................................................................11 Calibration ............................................................................................................. 11 Validation .............................................................................................................. 12 Cost Comparison .......................................................................................................13 RESULTS......................................................................................................................14 VHF Telemetry vs. Direct Observation ...................................................................... 14 Calibration ............................................................................................................. 14 Validation .............................................................................................................. 15 Satellite Telemetry vs. Direct Observation ................................................................. 18 Calibration ............................................................................................................. 18 Validation ..............................................................................................................20 Cost Comparison ...................................................................................................... 20 DISCUSSION...............................................................................................................21 VHF Telemetry..........................................................................................................21 Satellite Telemetry.................................................................................................... 23 MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS.............................................................................24 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. LITERATURE CITED 25 CHAPTER 2. DAILY FECAL EXCRETION AND DEFECATION RATES OF FREE-RANGING DALL’S SHEEP CALIBRATED USING DOMESTIC SHEEP................................................................................................................ 29 ABSTRACT................................................................................................................ 29 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................30 STUDY AREA............................................................................................................33 METHODS................................................................................................................. 33 Domestic Sheep .......................................................................................................33 Dali’s
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Volume 2
    Appendix F Species List Appendix F: Species List F. Species List F.1 Lists The following list and three tables denote the bird, mammal, fish, and plant species known to occur in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge, Refuge). F.1.1 Birds of Arctic Refuge A total of 201 bird species have been recorded on Arctic Refuge. This list describes their status and abundance. Many birds migrate outside of the Refuge in the winter, so unless otherwise noted, the information is for spring, summer, or fall. Bird names and taxonomic classification follow American Ornithologists' Union (1998). F.1.1.1 Definitions of classifications used Regions of the Refuge . Coastal Plain – The area between the coast and the Brooks Range. This area is sometimes split into coastal areas (lagoons, barrier islands, and Beaufort Sea) and inland areas (uplands near the foothills of the Brooks Range). Brooks Range – The mountains, valleys, and foothills north and south of the Continental Divide. South Side – The foothills, taiga, and boreal forest south of the Brooks Range. Status . Permanent Resident – Present throughout the year and breeds in the area. Summer Resident – Only present from May to September. Migrant – Travels through on the way to wintering or breeding areas. Breeder – Documented as a breeding species. Visitor – Present as a non-breeding species. * – Not documented. Abundance . Abundant – Very numerous in suitable habitats. Common – Very likely to be seen or heard in suitable habitats. Fairly Common – Numerous but not always present in suitable habitats. Uncommon – Occurs regularly but not always observed because of lower abundance or secretive behaviors.
    [Show full text]
  • A Floristic Inventory of Fort Wainwright Military Installation, Alaska
    A FLORISTIC INVENTORY OF FORT WAINWRIGHT MILITARY INSTALLATION, ALASKA Prepared by Gerald F. Tande, Rob Lipkin and Michael Duffy Environment and Natural Resources Institute ALASKA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM University of Alaska Anchorage 707 A Street Anchorage, AK 99501 For EAGAN, MCALLISTER ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. Box 986 Lexington Park, MD 20653 Contract No. N00140-95-C-H026 March 1996 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii INTRODUCTION 1 STUDY AREA LOCATION 1 STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION 3 Geology and Physiography 3 Climate 4 Soils 4 Vegetation 5 METHODS 8 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 16 LITERATURE CITED 22 APPENDIX A - Coordinates of Study Sites 33 APPENDIX B - Table of Vegetation Types for Collecting Units 38 APPENDIX C - Alphabetical Checklist of Vascular Plants 44 APPENDIX D - Checklist of Vascular Plants by Family 56 APPENDIX E - Matrix of Vascular Plants and Collecting Unit 71 APPENDIX F - List of Rare Vascular Plants for Fort Wainwright 91 LIST OF PLATES 93 i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Barbara Murray and Alan Batten of the Herbarium, University of Alaska Museum (ALA), for developing the label databases and their advice on their use throughout the project. Julia Lenz and Julie Michaelson of the Alaska Natural Heritage Program provided invaluable computer and database support over the course of the inventory. The field and lab assistance of Tako Raynolds and Peggy Robinson was greatly appreciated. Thanks also go to Dr. Dave Murray, Carolyn Parker and Al Batten (ALA) for discussions on the local flora, and for making available their various unpublished field notes from investigations in the Fairbanks area.
    [Show full text]
  • Alaska Natural Heritage Program Environment and Natural Resources Institute University of Alaska Anchorage 707 a Street AK Anchorage, Alaska 99501 NHP
    STEWART RIVER TRAINING AREA RARE PLANT SURVEY 2006 Matthew L. Carlson, Robert Lipkin, Helen Cortes-Burns, Irina V. Lapina Alaska Natural Heritage Program Environment and Natural Resources Institute University of Alaska Anchorage 707 A Street AK Anchorage, Alaska 99501 NHP prepared for Alaska Army National Guard State of Alaska Department of Military and Veteran’s Affairs Environmental Section Building 57040, Camp Carrol P.O. Box 5-549 Fort Richardson, Alaska 99505-0549 November 2006 Abstract Stewart River Training Area was surveyed for the presence of rare vascular plants in July 2006. A crew of four botanists surveyed all major habitats and substrates in the course of five days. A total of 155 specimens were collected, including a number of species that are rare in the state or globally. The rare species were arctic wormwood, (Artemisia senjavinensis; Alaska Natural Heritage Program Rank: G3-S2S3), Blaisdell’s bittercress (Cardamine blaisdellii; G4T3T4-S2S3), mountain stitchwort (Minuartia biflora; G5-S3S4), Walpole’s poppy (Papaver walpolei; G3-S3), Anvil Mountain primrose (Primula anvilensis; G3G4-S3S4), Greenland buttercup (Ranunculus auricomus; G5-S2), and matted starwort (Stellaria dicranoides; G3-S3). An additional species of candytuft (Smelowskia) may be a rare species, but determination by taxonomic experts is required. Four of these species (A. senjavinensis, P. walpolei, Smelowskia sp., and Stellaria dicranoides) were associated with barren carbonate outcrops in multiple sites in the training area. Blaisdell’s bittercress (C. blaisdellii) and Anvil Mountain primrose (Primula anvilensis) were encountered frequently in wet herbaceous meadows with some ground flow of water. We collected Greenland buttercup (R. auricomus) in only one location, composed of few individuals, in a shrub-meadow mosaic.
    [Show full text]
  • The Classification of Asexual Organisms
    Hörandl • Classification of asexual organisms TAXON 67 (6) • December 2018: 1066–1081 The classification of asexual organisms: Old myths, new facts, and a novel pluralistic approach Elvira Hörandl Department of Systematics, Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants (with Herbarium), Albrecht-von-Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; [email protected] DOI https://doi.org/10.12705/676.5 Abstract Organisms reproducing via asexuality harbor a great diversity of lineages, morphotypes and ecotypes. However, clas- sification of asexual taxa does not fit into contemporary species concepts, and hence the diversity of apomictic plant complexes is not well reflected in taxonomy. Plants reproducing via apomixis (i.e., asexual seed formation = agamospermy) exemplify the theoretical and practical problems of classification. Obligately asexual organisms do not form reproductive communities, but they do constitute ancestor-descendant lineages. From the conceptual side, evolutionary lineage concepts would fit best for species delimitation. Recent research showed that these lineages are not necessarily threatened by rapid extinction and do have persistence in time and space. Facultative sexuality and low levels of residual recombination counteract the accumulation of deleterious mutations due to the lack of recombination (Muller’s ratchet). Apomictic lineages do have adaptive potential, which is demonstrated by the ability to occupy large distribution areas and to experience ecological niche shifts. The challenge for classification of asexual lineages, however, is to find operational criteria for species delimitation. Current practices of species delimitation can be grouped into four main principles: (1) the sexuals-first principle means that obligate sexual progenitor species are classified separately from their apomictic derivatives.
    [Show full text]
  • Reticulate Evolution and Taxonomic Concepts in the Ranunculus
    TAXON • 16 September 2009: 22 + 1 pp. Hörandl & al. • Evolution in the Ranunculus auricomus complex Reticulate evolution and taxonomic concepts in the Ranunculus auricomus complex (Ranunculaceae): insights from analysis of morphological, karyological and molecular data Elvira Hörandl1,2, Johann Greilhuber1, Katarina Klímová2, Ovidiu Paun3, Eva Temsch1, Khatere Emadzade1 & Iva Hodálová4 1 Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria. [email protected] (author for correspondence) 2 Regional Association for Nature Conservation and Sustainable Development Šancova 96, 831 04 Bratislava 3, Slovakia 3 Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3DS, U.K. 4 Institute of Botany, Slovak Academy of Science, Dúbravská cesta 14, 845 23 Bratislava, Slovakia The Ranunculus auricomus complex is an interesting model system for studying the evolution and diversity of apomictic polyploid complexes. It comprises hundreds of agamospecies, usually referred to two distinct mor- photypes (traditionally named “R. auricomus” and “R. cassubicus”) which are connected by several intermedi- ate forms. Here we try to elucidate the evolution of apomictic “cassubicus” morphotypes and we test criteria for different classification concepts by combining the information of molecular phylogenetic, morphological, karyological and population genetic data (AFLPs, amplified fragment length polymorphism). Phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the nrDNA ITS and plastid data (matK, trnk, psbJ-psbA) suggest a deep split between the diploid sexual species R. notabilis (“auricomus” morphotype) from the closely related allopatric taxa R. cassubicifolius and R. carpaticola (“cassubicus”). The apomictic “cassubicus” morphotypes are not monophyletic, as one, R. hungaricus, groups with R. notabilis, which may be due to hybrid origin.
    [Show full text]
  • Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve Vascular Plant Inventory
    ANIAKCHAK NATIONAL MONUMENT AND PRESERVE VASCULAR PLANT INVENTORY ANIAKCHAK NATIONAL MONUMENT AND PRESERVE VASCULAR PLANT INVENTORY FINAL TECHNICAL REPORT Robert Lipkin Alaska Natural Heritage Program Environment and Natural Resources Institute University of Alaska Anchorage 707 A Street Anchorage, Alaska 99501 National Park Service Southwest Alaska Network Inventory & Monitoring Program NPS Report: NPS/AKR/SWAN/NRTR-2005/06 November 2005 Cooperative Agreement No. 1443CA991000013 Funding Source: National Park Service, Inventory & Monitoring Program i ANIAKCHAK NATIONAL MONUMENT AND PRESERVE VASCULAR PLANT INVENTORY SUGGESTED CITATION: Lipkin, R. 2005. Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, vascular plant inventory, final technical report. National Park Service, Southwest Alaska Network, Anchorage, AK. NPS/AKR/SWAN/NRTR-2005/06. 41 pp. TOPIC(S): biological inventories, vascular plants THEME KEYWORDS: vascular plants, species of conservation concern, biological inventories PLACE NAME KEYWORDS: Southwest Alaska Network, Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, Aniakchak Caldera, Aniakchak River, Black Creek Lagoon, the Garden Wall, the Gates, Meshik Camp, Meshik River, Packer’s Cabin, Waterfall Creek ACRONYMS: I&M Inventory & Monitoring SWAN Southwest Alaska Network AKNHP Alaska Natural Heritage Program ANIA Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve KATM Katmai National Park & Preserve LACL Lake Clark National Park & Preserve INITIAL DISTRIBUTION: Southwest Alaska Network ii ANIAKCHAK NATIONAL MONUMENT AND PRESERVE VASCULAR PLANT INVENTORY
    [Show full text]
  • Structural Comparison of Arctic Plant Communities Across the Landscape and with Experimental Warming in Northern Alaska Jessica L
    Grand Valley State University ScholarWorks@GVSU Masters Theses Graduate Research and Creative Practice 12-2014 Structural Comparison of Arctic Plant Communities Across the Landscape and with Experimental Warming in Northern Alaska Jessica L. Gregory Grand Valley State University Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses Part of the Biology Commons Recommended Citation Gregory, Jessica L., "Structural Comparison of Arctic Plant Communities Across the Landscape and with Experimental Warming in Northern Alaska" (2014). Masters Theses. 746. http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses/746 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research and Creative Practice at ScholarWorks@GVSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@GVSU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Structural comparison of arctic plant communities across the landscape and with experimental warming in Northern Alaska. Jessica Lynn Gregory A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science Biology December, 2014 DEDICATION Dedicated to my husband Adam, Without whose constant love and encouragement this project would never have been accomplished. 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to first thank the members of my Graduate Committee for their continued support and guidance: Drs. Robert D. Hollister, James Dunn, and Heather Rueth. I would also like to thank Grand Valley State University (GVSU) for its support, as well as Dr. Melvin Northup and Diane Laughlin for laboratory assistance and procedural planning. I would like to extend thanks to Drs.
    [Show full text]
  • CR 97-2 Pages
    A Floristic Inventory and Spatial 97-23 Database for Fort Wainwright, Interior Alaska Charles Racine, Robert Lichvar, Barbara Murray, October 1997 Gerald Tande, Robert Lipkin, and Michael Duffy SPECIAL REPORT Abstract: An inventory of the vascular and ground-in- Flats and associated wetlands, 4) the upland buttes and habiting cryptogam flora of Fort Wainwright, in interior Blair Lakes area in Tanana Flats, and 5) the floodplains Alaska, was conducted during the summer of 1995 to of the Tanana and Chena Rivers. Over 100 sites were support land management needs related to the impact visited, with habitats ranging from very dry south-facing of training. Primary plant collecting, identification and slopes to forest, floodplains, wetlands, and alpine tun- verification were conducted by the Alaska Natural Heri- dra. tage Program and the University of Alaska Museum. Vascular collections represented 491 species (includ- The work was supervised and the data compiled into a ing subspecies and varieties), included about 26% of geographic information system by the USA Cold Re- Alaska’s vascular flora, and are considered to be rela- gions Research and Engineering Laboratory and the tively complete. The cryptogam collections included 219 USA Waterways Experiment Station. species, representing 92 mosses, 117 lichens, and 10 Fort Wainwright covers 370,450 hectares (915,000 liverworts. The flora is characteristic of the circumpolar acres); it was divided into five areas: 1) the valleys of boreal forest and wetlands of both North America and a cantonment area of base facilities, 2) the slopes and Eurasia, but it also contains alpine and dry-grassland alpine areas of the Yukon–Tanana Uplands, 3) Tanana and steppe species.
    [Show full text]
  • Vascular Plant and Vertebrate Species Lists from Npspecies As of September 30, 2001 for Denali National Park and Preserve
    Vascular Plant and Vertebrate Species Lists From NPSpecies as of September 30, 2001 For Denali National Park and Preserve A Supplemental Report to the Final Report – Compilation of Existing Species Data In Alaska’s National Parks By Julia Lenz, Tracey Gotthardt, Mike Kelly, and Robert Lipkin Alaska Natural Heritage Program Environment and Natural Resources Institute University of Alaska Anchorage For National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program Alaska Region September 30, 2001 In Partial Completion of Cooperative Agreement #9910-00-013 University of Alaska Anchorage Environment and Natural Resources Institute 707 A St. Anchorage, Alaska 9950 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1 VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES LIST ........................................................................ 2 FISH SPECIES LIST ................................................................................................ 63 BIRD SPECIES LIST................................................................................................ 64 MAMMAL SPECIES LIST ...................................................................................... 72 AMPHIBIAN SPECIES LIST................................................................................... 75 i INTRODUCTION This report contains species lists for vascular plant and vertebrate species entered in the National Park Service’s NPSpecies database, by the Alaska Natural Heritage Program (AKNHP) for Denali
    [Show full text]
  • Kenai Fjords National Park Vascular Plant Inventory Final Technical Report
    KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK VASCULAR PLANT INVENTORY KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK VASCULAR PLANT INVENTORY FINAL TECHNICAL REPORT Matthew L. Carlson, Robert Lipkin, Michelle Sturdy, & Julie A. Michaelson Alaska Natural Heritage Program Environment and Natural Resources Institute University of Alaska Anchorage 707 A Street Anchorage, Alaska 99501 National Park Service Southwest Alaska Network Inventory & Monitoring Program NPS Report: NPS/AKR/SWAN/NRTR-2004/02 December 2004 Cooperative Agreement No. 1443CA991000013 Funding Source: National Park Service, Inventory & Monitoring Program i KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK VASCULAR PLANT INVENTORY ii KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK VASCULAR PLANT INVENTORY ABSTRACT In 2003 the Alaska Natural Heritage Program (AKNHP) conducted vascular plant field inventories in Kenai Fjords National Park in accordance with a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service. The primary goal was to document greater than 90% of the vascular plant species expected to occur within the Park and significantly improve our understanding of current species distributions. The inventory targeted diverse habitat types and poorly-sampled areas. The AKNHP staff visited the primary ecogeographic regions and sampled intensively within these regions from early July to early August, 2003. A total of 561 specimens were collected, recorded, and pressed. Duplicate or triplicate sheets are present for many of the specimens. Three hundred twelve (312) unique taxa are represented, and 201 are new records for the Park. Prior to 2003, 217 taxa were known from an estimated expected total of 543. Thus, ca. 40% of the expected taxa were previously known. After the 2003 field season, the number of known taxa nearly doubled to 418. This represents 77% of vascular plant taxa expected in the Park.
    [Show full text]
  • Limestone Jags PNW-GTR-237 May 1989 Glenn Patrick Juday
    This file was created by scanning the printed publication. Text errors identified by the software have been corrected; however, some errors may remain. United States Department of Agriculture Alaska Research Forest Service Pacific Northwest Natural Areas. Research Station General Technical Report 2: Limestone Jags PNW-GTR-237 May 1989 Glenn Patrick Juday I Study and documentation of Limestone Jags Research Natural Area was supported by the Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. About the cover: A large limestone pinnacle with Windy Arch on the top is depicted in the foreground. The slopes in front of Windy Arch support a few fire-remnant trees. Behind Windy Arch are the Fossil Creek lowlands with mature white spruce forest to the right and a pocket of black spruce permafrost to the left. An aufeis zone shows along Fossil Creek in the right background. A lady's slipper orchid (Cypripedium guttatum) and dryas (Dryas octopetala), species typical of limestone habitats; are depicted in the inset. Authors GLENN PATRICK JUDAY is assistant professor of plant ecology and Alaska ecological reserves coordinator, Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775. Foreword The concept of establishing natural areas for education and scientific research is not new. As early as 1917 in the United States, the Ecological Society of America set up the Committee on the Preservation of Natural Conditions and published its findings in 1926. Other professional societies-Society of American Foresters, the Society of Range Management, and the Soil Conservation Society of America––proposed pro- grams to identify and set aside areas where natural forest, range, and soil conditions could be preserved and studied.
    [Show full text]
  • High Arctic and Low Arctic Vegetation Responses to Climate Change Jennifer A
    High Arctic and Low Arctic Vegetation Responses to Climate Change Jennifer A. Liebig, Robert D. Hollister, & Jeremy L. May Grand Valley State University ABSTRACT RESULTS: High latitude regions have seen the most profound changes as a result of Wet Site Species (A) Dry Site Species (B) In the dry site the difference in cover of species classified as climate change. The village of Atqasuk on the North Slope of Alaska was the site high arctic species between warmed and control plots was of an ongoing study of the response of plant cover to experimental warming using Arctophila fulva High Arctagrostis latifolia High insignificant. The plants classified as low arctic species were found open topped chambers. The experimental sites were established in 1996, and this Carex aquatilis High Cassiope tetragona High to have more hits in the control plots than the warmed plots, as seen study uses data collected in 2007. Plant cover was sampled using a point frame in Figure 5. We found that overall the warmed plots at the dry site method. Previous studies have found that when compared to the control plots, the Carex aquatilis/stans High Luzula confusa High showed a decrease in cover relative to the control plots. warmed plots show an increase in the cover of vascular plants. This study Dupontia fisheri/psilosantha High Trisetum spicatum High examines the differences between plants classified as high arctic and low arctic Vaccinium vitis-idaea Low The warmed plots at the wet site showed a greater cover of high species. The prevailing wisdom is that low arctic species will respond faster to Juncus biglumis High arctic species relative to the control plots, while the low arctic warming.
    [Show full text]