Indicators for Climate Change Impacts - Wetlands in cold ecoregions, Wetlands
Vegetation assemblages II
| Stressor type | Hydrology |
|---|---|
| Responding parameter group | Biological parameters |
| Responding parameter | Vegetation assemblages II |
Response description
Lowered water table leads to increased proportion of dicotyledonous plant species.
Secondary effects
Increased risk of fire likely to lead to increased incidence of invasive plant species.
Relevant ecoregion(s) according to Illies
19 (Iceland), 20 (Borealic Uplands), 21 (Tundra), 22 (Fenno-Scandian Shield), 23 (Taiga)
Suggested indicator
Height of water table
Justification of indicator
Indicator for risk of vegetation assemblage change. This will have knock-on effects on other species.
Reference(s)
Hogenbirk, J.C. & R.W. Wein (1991): Fire and drought experiments in northern wetlands – a climate change analog. Canadian Journal of Botany 69(9): 1991-1997.
