Vegetation and Production Ecology of an Alaskan Arctic Tundra (Ecological Studies, 29)

This volume on botanical research in tundra represents the culmination of four years of intensive and integrated field research centered at Barrow, Alaska. The volume summarizes the most significant results and interpretations of the pri­ mary producer projects conducted in the U.S. IBP Tundra Biome Program (1970-1974). Original data reports are available from the authors and can serve as detailed references for interested tundra researchers. Also, the results of most projects have been published in numerous papers in various journals. The introduction provides a brief overview of other ecosystem components. The main body presents the results in three general sections. The summary chapter is an attempt to integrate ideas and information from the previous papers as well as extant literature. In addition, this chapter focuses attention on pro­ cesses of primary production which should receive increased emphasis. Although this book will not answer all immediate questions, it hopefully will enhance future understanding of the tundra, particularly as we have studied it in Northern Alaska. Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Front Matter....Pages 1-2 Introduction....Pages 3-18 Vegetation, Floristics, and Phytogeography of Northern Alaska....Pages 19-36 Spatial and Temporal Variation of the Vegetation and Its Production, Barrow, Alaska....Pages 37-112 Seasonal Dynamics of Above- and Belowground Production of Vascular Plants at Barrow, Alaska....Pages 113-140 Floristics, Phytogeography, and Ecology of Arctic Alaskan Bryophytes....Pages 141-167 Composition and Bryomass of the Moss Layers of Two Wet-Tundra-Meadow Communities Near Barrow, Alaska....Pages 169-183 The Role of Lichens in the Structure, Productivity, and Mineral Cycling of the Wet Coastal Alaskan Tundra....Pages 185-206 The Role of Algae in Tundra Soils....Pages 207-227 Ecto- and Endomycorrhizae of Arctic Plants at Barrow, Alaska....Pages 229-237 Front Matter....Pages 239-240 Photosynthesis in the Principal Barrow, Alaska, Species: A Summary of Field and Laboratory Responses....Pages 241-268 Primary Production Processes in Arctic Bryophytes at Barrow, Alaska....Pages 269-298 Meteorological Assessment of CO 2 Exchange over an Alaskan Arctic Tundra....Pages 299-321 Constraints on Tundra Productivity: Photosynthetic Capacity in Relation to Solar Radiation Utilization and Water Stress in Arctic and Alpine Tundras....Pages 323-342 Some Aspects of Water Relations of Arctic and Alpine Regions....Pages 343-357 Radio-Tracer Measurement of Transpiration in Tundra Vegetation, Barrow, Alaska....Pages 359-369 Simulation of the Effect of the Tundra Vascular Plant Canopy on the Productivity of Four Plant Species....Pages 371-387 Front Matter....Pages 389-391 Translocation and Allocation of 14 C-Photoassimilate by Dupontia fisheri ....Pages 393-413 Growth, Turnover, and Respiration Rates of Roots and Tillers in Tundra Graminoids....Pages 415-434 The Interactions of Organic Nutrients, Soil Nitrogen, and Soil Temperature and Plant Growth and Survival in the Arctic Environment....Pages 435-456 Plant Nutrient Limitations of Tundra Plant Growth....Pages 457-481 Front Matter....Pages 389-391 Phosphate Uptake and Nutrient Utilization by Barrow Tundra Vegetation....Pages 483-507 Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization on Carbohydrate and Nutrient Levels in Dupontia fisheri and Arctagrostis latifolia ....Pages 509-537 Nitrogen Fixation in Arctic and Alpine Tundra....Pages 539-558 A Model of Plant Growth and Phosphorus Allocation for Dupontia fisheri in Coastal, Wet-Meadow Tundra....Pages 559-576 A Model of Carbohydrate, Nitrogen, Phosphorus Allocation and Growth in Tundra Production....Pages 577-598 A Simulation Model of Population Processes of Arctic Tundra Graminoids....Pages 599-619 Summary....Pages 621-645 Back Matter....Pages 647-686