Topographic control of vegetation in a mountain big sagebrush steppe |
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| Authors: | Ingrid C Burke William A Reiners Richard K Olson |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Botany, University of Wyoming, 82071 Laramie, WY, USA;(2) Present address: Department of Forest and Wood Science, Colorado State University, 80523 Fort Collins, CO, USA;(3) Northrop Services, 200 SW 35th St., 97333 Corvallis, OR, USA |
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| Abstract: | Mountain big sagebrush steppes in Wyoming have strong spatial patterning associated with topography. We describe the spatial variability of vegetation in a sagebrush steppe, and test the relationship between topography and vegetation using canonical correlation. Results of the analysis suggest that the main control over vegetation distribution in this system is wind exposure. Exposed sites are characterized by cushion plant communities and Artemisia nova, and less exposed sites by the taller sagebrush species Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana. Topographic depressions and leeward slopes are characterized by aspen stands and nivation hollows. Measurements of soil microclimate suggest that a major influence of topographic position on vegetation is snow redistribution and its effect on soil moisture and temperature.Abbreviations ARNO
Artemisia nova
- ARTRW
Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis
- ARTRV
Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana
- PUTR
Purshia tridentata
- RIP
riparian community
- POTR
Populus tremuloides
- NIV
nivation hollow community |
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| Keywords: | Artemisia tridentata Landscape ecology Semi-arid shrubland |
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