Relationship of Vegetation Distribution to Soil Properties in Kärkevagge, Swedish Lapland

• Published in: Arctic, antarctic, and alpine research Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 21 - 32
• Main Authors: Darmody, Robert G., Thorn, Colin E., Schlyter, Peter, Dixon, John C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 01.02.2004; Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research
• Subjects: Acid soils; Heathland soils; Heathlands; Meadows; Organic soils; Permafrost; s; Soil fertility; Soil horizons; Soil water; Vegetation
• ISSN: 1523-0430; 1938-4246
• DOI: 10.1657/1523-0430(2004)036[0021:ROVDTS]2.0.CO;2

Kärkevagge, an alpine ecosystem in the subarctic, has been the subject of scientific study for half a century. We investigated the relationship of its vegetation to soil properties. At the lowest elevations, on stable portions of the landscape dominated by Betula and Empetrum, are found Spodosols developed in glacio-fluvial sediments. Cryosaprists occur in scattered bedrock depressions with bog-type vegetation. Cryofluvents are found in flood-prone areas covered by dwarf-willow thickets. Intermediate elevations have meadow-type vegetation with Cryofluvents on floodplains and on lower colluvial slopes, Cryaquents in wetter areas, and Cryorthents on steeper soliflucted slopes. Above that, on steep, west-facing Dryas-covered colluvial slopes, soils are Ca-rich Eutrocryepts and Haplocryolls. The highest-elevation soils are infertile with poor horizonation, despite their possible antiquity, and vegetation that is largely cryptogams. Dystrocryepts occur on more stable alpine locations; Cryorthents on soliflucted areas; and Haploturbels, with shallow permafrost, above 1400 m. Measured annual soil temperatures range from +2.4°C at a Dryas site to −3.4°C at 1585 m at an alpine cryptogam site. Vegetation distribution in Kärkevagge is related to climatic factors, which are controlled by elevation and landscape position, and edaphic factors, which control soil moisture and nutrient availability.