Mount Saint Vincent University
Home myMountStudent WebmailMoodleWebAdvisorContact UsPrint Page

Root symbionts in forest migration

PPS ARCTIC CANADA: An International Polar Year project on the causes and consequences of change of the forest-tundra ecotone

 

The broad forest-tundra ecotone or treeline (mottled gray on the map) is one of the largest, most prominent transitions between ecosystems. The shift in treeline due to climate change could have long-term effects on biodiversity and on human health and well-being.

 labrador1

 

Present day processes, Past changes and Spatiotemporal variability of biotic, abiotic and socio-environmental conditions and resource components along and across the Arctic delimitation zone in Canada  

 

Linked to the international PPS Arctic based in Norway

  •   20 Researchers from more than 10 universities
  •   More than 20 collaborators
  •   Extensive community involvement
  •   Over 30 graduate student and 8 postdoctoral projects

 

 

What are the causes and consequences of ecosystem change of the tundra-taiga ecotone?

1. To model temporal and spatial treeline dynamics.  

2. To assess the impact of climate change on processes within the treeline ecotone.

3. To determine ecosystem services of the treeline ecotone and their vulnerability with climate change.

4. To develop conceptual models of the relationship of environmental change and human health and well-being.

 labrador2
 

 

labrador2

Proposed field study sites and transects in relation to arctic treeline (line), the boreal-tundra transition forest (light gray), and the subarctic alpine tundra (dark gray).  

Forest edges within the forest-tundra ecotone may be difficult to discern as tree density can decrease gradually from dense forest to scattered trees.

 labrador4

labrador5

Scaling up the effects of climate change on tree  dynamics and biodiversity within the forest-tundra ecotone is a step towards preparing for the response in treeline to climate change.

 

Our project will potentially provide many opportunities for graduate students across the country. Student projects based in Halifax include:

1. An assessment of the relationship between edge abundance, spatial configuration and latitude to predict treeline movement. (Harper)

2. The role of soil microbiota in tree establishment within the forest-tundra ecotone. (Kernaghan)

3. The potential effects of treeline expansion on above and below-ground communities. (Harper and Kernaghan)

4. Integration of the human dimension of vegetation and landscape change using repeat photography. (Harper)

FacebookYouTubeFlickrTwitter
©2009 MSVU