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The Classification of Alvar Vegetation in the Interlake Region of Manitoba, Canada

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The Classification of Alvar Vegetation in the Interlake Region of Manitoba, Canada The Classification of Alvar Vegetation in the Interlake Region of Manitoba, Canada by Pauline K. Catling A thesis submitted to the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Manitoba in partial fulfilment of the degree of MASTERS OF SCIENCE Department of Biological Sciences University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Copyright © 2016 Pauline K. Catling “Language adorns a science as clothes adorn the body. He who cannot do honour to his clothes must needs let them do honour to him. If elsewhere in the world only eloquent doctors had been allowed to write, less would be known than there is today.” Carl Linneaus 1745 i Abstract Alvars are globally rare rock barren ecosystems on limestone pavement. This thesis focused on the quantitative classification of vegetation of Manitoba alvars, the relationships between vegetation patterns and environmental factors and the effects of grazing on vegetation. Vegetation plots were completed across twenty sites. Cluster analysis, indicator species analysis and PCA were used to describe eight vegetation types. A RDA revealed moisture regime, soil depth, bare rock cover and disturbance (grazing and browsing) are the most important factors affecting floristic composition. Grazing effects were studied at two sites using paired plots on either side of a fenceline dividing grazed and ungrazed areas. PCA and RDA showed significant difference between vegetation compositions based on grazing. A partitioning of species richness and diversity by introduced and native species revealed that both sites experienced significant replacement by introduced species. Current grazing levels on Manitoba alvars are severely impacting the vegetation of this ecosystem. Key words: alvar, limestone pavement, disturbance, vegetation dynamics, species associations, plant ecology ii Acknowledgements Financial support for this research was provided by The Nature Conservancy of Canada, Manitoba Conservation and the University of Manitoba. I will be forever grateful to the people at Manitoba Conservation, Nature Conservancy of Canada and Sylvan Pasture (including Cary Hamel, Rebekah Neufeld, Nicole Firlotte, Chris Friesen, Dave Roberts and Ed Cosens) who shared their time and expertise. This project would have never been completed so smoothly without your assistance. I am indebted to my supervisors Drs. Bruce Ford and Norm Kenkel who offered insight, direction and patience throughout the project. I would also like to thank my committee members, Drs. Anne Worley and Nicola Koper, for sharing their knowledge, constructive criticism and support. Special thanks are given to my field assistant, Steven Anderson, who showed great patience and tolerance during fieldwork and to the wonderful people at the University of Manitoba Herbarium (Diana Sawatzky and Elizabeth Punter) who always found time to help. Taxonomic verifications for vascular and non-vascular species were made by Elizabeth Punter, Richard Caners and Bruce Ford. Their help with species identification improved the quality of this thesis. Assistance from Chris Deduke and Michele Piercey-Normore identifying lichens was of considerable help. Thank you for your time and knowledge. To my fellow students and friends who provided support through encouragement, endless discussions and all the distractions needed to de-stress, thank you. Special thanks to Jennifer Doering for her assistance learning GIS. Lastly, I would like to express gratitude to my parents, who introduced me to the alvar flora, inspired me and supported me throughout my life, and to my brother who has always been there to encourage me and keep me strong through any rough times. iii Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1: Literature Review ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Discovery and Definition ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Distribution ......................................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Formation ............................................................................................................................................ 3 1.4 Geology and Soil Conditions of Alvars ................................................................................................ 5 1.5 Climate ................................................................................................................................................ 7 1.6 Vegetation of Alvars ............................................................................................................................ 8 1.6.1 Europe .......................................................................................................................................... 9 1.6.2 North America ............................................................................................................................ 15 1.7 Disturbance Ecology of Alvar Vegetation.......................................................................................... 21 1.7.1 Drought and Flooding ................................................................................................................ 22 1.7.2 Grazing ....................................................................................................................................... 23 1.7.3 Fire ............................................................................................................................................. 25 1.7.4 Anthropogenic Threats .............................................................................................................. 26 1.8 Vegetation Dynamics on Alvars ........................................................................................................ 27 1.9 Similar Rock Barren Ecosystems ....................................................................................................... 29 1.10 Significance of Alvars ...................................................................................................................... 35 1.11 Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 37 1.12 References ...................................................................................................................................... 39 Chapter 2: Study Site and Objectives .......................................................................................................... 53 2.1 Alvars in Manitoba ............................................................................................................................ 53 2.2 Geology and Glaciation History ........................................................................................................ 53 2.3 Climate .............................................................................................................................................. 55 2.4 Alvar Vegetation in Manitoba ........................................................................................................... 57 2.5 Human Settlement and Disturbance History .................................................................................... 58 iv 2.6 Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................................................... 61 2.7 References ........................................................................................................................................ 64 Chapter 3: Alvar Vegetation in Manitoba: Types and Environmental Gradients ....................................... 74 3.1 Vegetation Classification and Plant Ecology ..................................................................................... 74 3.1.1 History of Vegetation Classification ........................................................................................... 74 3.1.2 Classification of Alvar Vegetation .............................................................................................. 75 3.1.3 Classification of Vegetation and the Environment .................................................................... 77 3.1.4 Disturbance and Vegetation Composition ................................................................................. 77 3.1.5 Significance and Objectives ........................................................................................................ 78 3.2 Methods ...........................................................................................................................................
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