The Role of Soils in Recording Environmental Change at Alpine Treeline in Glacier National Park, Montana
Date
2004-12
Authors
Schmid, Ginger Lee
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Abstract
The alpine treeline ecotone is characterized as a zone of flagged and krummholz tree growth advancing into areas of alpine tundra. As a zone of ecosystem transition, the alpine treeline ecotone is sensitive to changes in environmental variables, including climate change. While serving as the medium for plant growth, soils develop over time reflecting the interaction of the available climate, organisms, relief, and parent material. If there has been sufficient climate change to promote treeline advance into the alpine tundra, soil characteristics should reflect these changes in the alpine environment.
This research investigated the soils underlying advancing tree fingers and the adjacent alpine tundra to document climate change through changes in soil development. Lee Ridge and White Calf Mountain, located east of the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park, Montana were selected as representative alpine treeline ecotone sites. Soils pits were located in tree fingers and the adjacent tundra at seven different landscape positions: windward, leeward, and centrally within the tree fingers, and within the tundra in positions windward, leeward, upslope, and downslope of the invading tree fingers. Detailed field descriptions were recorded for each soil pit to a 50 cm depth. Ground cover was described at each of the soil pit locations and the vegetation was mapped to describe each of the tree fingers.
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Keywords
soils, Montana, Glacier National Park, climate, timberline
Citation
Schmid, G.L. (2004). The role of soils in recording environmental change at alpine treeline in Glacier National Park, Montana (Unpublished dissertation). Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas.