Kluane Alpine Ecosystem Project (Yukon)
Studies are being conducted on four key mammalian herbivores and alpine vegetation in several communities. These experiments will provide detailed information about the processes which determine the structure of naturally fragmented alpine terrestrial ecosystems, and in particular, the influence of herbivory and climate variability. Alpine regions in general, and the Kluane region specifically, are expected to undergo large changes in community structure in response to global warming.
Population Dynamics of Collared Pikas (Ochotona collaris)
Demography, genetics and population dynamics of collared pikas (Ochotona collaris) on meadows of different productivity and degree of isolation.
metapopulation dynamics
forage selection by collared pikas
genetics
Social Behaviour and Dynamics of Hoary Marmots
population dynamics
social behaviour
genetics
Effects of Habitat Change on Dall's Sheep
horn growth
effects of climate change
Population Dynamics of Arctic Ground Squirrels
population dynamics
habitat use
social behaviour
Impacts of Mammalian Herbivory on Alpine Meadows
patterns of grazing and overcompensation
photosynthetic responses to grazing
Alpine Biodiversity in the southwest Yukon
Comparison of the biodiversity of alpine communities of different glacial histories.
Impacts of Climate Change
Effects of climate warming and nutrient addition (passive warming experiments)
Effects of delayed snowmelt (shovelling experiments)
Location of Field Sites
Field sites are located along an 100 km environmental gradient extending from the St. Elias Icefields of Kluane National Park, through the surrounding Front Ranges, and across Kluane Lake into the Ruby Ranges. These sites include a number of alpine meadow communities of similar elevation (around 2000 m) which have experienced different climatic and glacial histories. The main field camp (PIKA CAMP) is located in the Ruby Ranges (nearly continuously vegetated slopes), and is accessible by vehicle and foot. Remote sites in the Front Ranges, where meadows are interspersed on mountain ridges resulting in a higher degree of fragmentation, and the Icefield Ranges, where highly fragmented communities exist on nunataks, are accessed by aircraft. Facilities at the AINAresearch station at Kluane Lake serve as a base for our field operations.
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Last Modified:2006-01-31 |