Think Globally, Act Locally: The Small Scale Effects of Climate Change on Spruce Growth in SW Yukon
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Authors
O'Kane, Katriina
Date
2012-06-21
Type
thesis
Language
en
Keyword
Dendroclimatology , Yukon , Picea glauca , Tree ring isotopes
Alternative Title
Abstract
In this research we investigate spatial complexity in growth patterns of Picea glauca (white spruce) around Kluane in SW Yukon. Assumptions of regional homogeneity are often made with research and legislation surrounding protected areas, where smaller scale sensitivities are often not considered. To test if such sensitivities were important, we studied differences in tree growth across three sites, and determined which climatic variables most strongly influenced growth at each site. The three sites chosen were Burwash Quill (BQ), a cold subalpine site, Cultus Grasslands (CG), a dry forest-grassland ecotone, and Alsek Valley (AV), a wind- scoured slope. Our analysis was conducted using ring-width dendroclimatology, and backed up by δ13C isotope analysis. Our results show that indeed, small scale sensitivities are important. In ring-width analysis, we found significant differences in tree growth between BQ and the other two sites, although AV and CG display similar growth patterns. We also found that correlations between BQ and the other two sites declined over time, which could indicate a threshold being breeched, or be evidence of the divergence problem at BQ. Isotope results show poor correlations between all three sites, and further confirm spatial heterogeneity. To determine which climate variables were important at each site, we correlated ring-widths and isotope values to climate records in the area. We found that the dominant climatic controls were winter and spring temperature at BQ, and previous year growing season precipitation at both CG and AV. Winter and spring temperatures correlated negatively to BQ ring-widths, which suggests that trees grow more when winters are colder. Previous year growing season precipitation correlated positively to ring-widths at both CG and AV, which suggests moisture stress at these sites. From our results, it is clear that decision makers and researchers should consider smaller scale differences in landscapes when discussing how change, particularly climate change, will impact an area.