Original paper

Stability of alpine treeline in Glacier National Park, Montana, U.S.A.

Butler, David R.; Malanson, George P.; Cairns, David M.

Phytocoenologia Band 22 Heft 4 (1994), p. 485 - 500

50 references

published: Dec 5, 1994

DOI: 10.1127/phyto/22/1994/485

BibTeX file

ArtNo. ESP024002204002, Price: 29.00 €

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Abstract

Repeat photography was used to assess the stability of alpine treeline in Glacier National Park, Montana, U.S.A. Photographs from 15 sites revealed positionally stable treeline, although growth of individual trees is noted. Treelines controlled by snow avalanches have also remained stable in most locations, suggesting an absence of change in avalanche magnitude and frequency. Tetraterm (June-September) temperature values from the town of West Glacier reveal an upward trend since 1985 that may be associated with seedling establishment noted at two topographically favorable sites not included in the repeat photography program.

Keywords

alpine treelinemagnitudeGlacier National ParkMontana