Studies on the vegetation of fens, springs and snow fields in West Greenland
Authors: Dierssen, Klaus; Dierssen, Barbara
Source: Phytocoenologia, Volume 35, Number 4, December 2005 , pp. 849-885(37)
Publisher: E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung
Key:
- Free Content
- New Content
- Subscribed Content
- Free Trial Content
- Free Content
- New Content
- Subscribed Content
- Free Trial Content
Abstract:
On the basis of about 550 phytosociological relevés, the vegetation of fens, springs and snow fields in Central West Greenland was arranged in 20 plant communities within 5 classes (Tab. 1). Soil chemical analyses comprise pH, C/N-ratio and content of organic matter. The communities of fens, cold springs, snow fields and scree were characterized floristically and ecologically (Tab. 2–5). The communities were described concerning their edaphical and hydrological niches; their total distribution is discussed. In most cases they occur widespread in arctic and boreo-alpine areas; their distribution is primarily determined by edaphical, not by climatical limitations. For the Caricetum holostomae and the Caricetum gynocratis a valid nomenclatural type relevé is selected (Tab. 3). The Ledo decumbentis-Betuletum nanae is firstly described from acid fen hummocks (Tab. 4). The vegetation of cold springs, snow fields and moist solifluction scree is summarized in Tab. 5. A survey on bryophyte synusiae within the fen communities is presented in Tab 6. These communities are clearly separated according to the soil acidity and hydrological gradients. They occur widespread on microscale patterns with a more or less comparable species composition in arctic and boreal areas.Keywords: ARCTIC; C/N-RATIO; HYDROLOGY; SOIL ACIDITY; SYNECOLOGY
Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1127/0340-269X/2005/0035-0849
Key:
- Free Content
- New Content
- Subscribed Content
- Free Trial Content
- Free Content
- New Content
- Subscribed Content
- Free Trial Content
Click here for Page Help