Shrub expansion in tundra ecosystems: dynamics, impacts and research priorities

Myers-Smith, I; Forbes, B; Wilmking, M; Hallinger, M; Lantz, T; Blok, D; Tape, K; Macias-Fauria, M; Sass-Klaassen, U; Levesque, E; Boudreau, S; Ropars, P; Hermanutz, L; Trant, A; Collier, L; Weijers, S; Rozema, J; Rayback, SA; Schmidt, N; Schaepman-Strub, G; Wipf, S; Rixen, C; Menard, C; Venn, S; Goetz, S

Climate Research Collection

Journal article

Shrub expansion in tundra ecosystems: dynamics, impacts and research priorities

Abstract:: Recent research using repeat photography, long-term ecological monitoring and dendrochronology has documented shrub expansion in arctic, high-latitude and alpine tundra ecosystems. Here, we (1)synthesize these findings, (2)present a conceptual framework that identifies mechanisms and constraints on shrub increase, (3)explore causes, feedbacks and implications of the increased shrub cover in tundra ecosystems, and (4)address potential lines of investigation for future research. Satellite observations from around the circumpolar Arctic, showing increased productivity, measured as changes in greenness, have coincided with a general rise in high-latitude air temperatures and have been partly attributed to increases in shrub cover. Studies indicate that warming temperatures, changes in snow cover, altered disturbance regimes as a result of permafrost thaw, tundra fires, and anthropogenic activities or changes in herbivory intensity are all contributing to observed changes in shrub abundance. Alarge-scale increase in shrub cover will change the structure of tundra ecosystems and alter energy fluxes, regional climate, soilatmosphere exchange of water, carbon and nutrients, and ecological interactions between species. In order to project future rates of shrub expansion and understand the feedbacks to ecosystem and climate processes, future research should investigate the species or trait-specific responses of shrubs to climate change including: (1)the temperature sensitivity of shrub growth, (2)factors controlling the recruitment of new individuals, and (3)the relative influence of the positive and negative feedbacks involved in shrub expansion. © 2011 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Publication status:: Published

Actions

Email

Email this record

Send the bibliographic details of this record to your email address.

Your Email
Please enter the email address that the record information will be sent to.

-
Your message (optional)
Please add any additional information to be included within the email.
Share
Cite

Cite this record

APA Style

Myers-Smith, I., Forbes, B., Wilmking, M., Hallinger, M., Lantz, T., Blok, D., Tape, K., Macias-Fauria, M., Sass-Klaassen, U., Levesque, E., Boudreau, S., Ropars, P., Hermanutz, L., Trant, A., Collier, L., Weijers, S., Rozema, J., Rayback, S. A., Schmidt, N., … Goetz, S. (2011). Shrub expansion in tundra ecosystems: dynamics, impacts and research priorities. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS, 6(4), 045509–045509.

MLA Style

Myers-Smith, I, et al. “Shrub Expansion in Tundra Ecosystems: Dynamics, Impacts and Research Priorities.” ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS, vol. 6, no. 4, 2011, pp. 045509–09.

Chicago Style

Myers-Smith, I, B Forbes, M Wilmking, et al. 2011. “Shrub Expansion in Tundra Ecosystems: Dynamics, Impacts and Research Priorities.” ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS 6 (4): 045509–.
Print