Indicators for Climate Change Impacts - Wetlands in cold ecoregions, Wetlands
Vegetation assemblages I
| Stressor type | Hydrology |
|---|---|
| Responding parameter group | Biological parameters |
| Responding parameter | Vegetation assemblages I |
Response description
Elevated water table led to increase in bryophytes and reduction of shrubs in the bog, but increase in graminoids and forbs in the fen.
Secondary effects
In both the bog and the fen, below-ground biomass will increase compared with above-ground biomass.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Bog, fen
Relevant ecoregion(s) according to Illies
19 (Iceland), 20 (Borealic Uplands), 21 (Tundra), 22 (Fenno-Scandian Shield)
Suggested indicator
Height of water table; Vegetation assemblages
Justification of indicator
Water table height and vegetation assemblages are directly correlated.
Suggested indicator 2
Air temperature
Justification of indicator 2
Impacts of species and drought
Reference(s)
Weltzin J.F., J. Pastor, C. Harth, S.D. Bridgham, K. Updegraff & C.T. Chapin (2000): Response of bog and fen plant communities to warming and water-table manipulations. Ecology 81(12): 3464-3478.
