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

• Published in: Arctic, antarctic, and alpine research Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 21 - 32
• Main Authors: Darmody, R G, Thorn, CE, Schlyter, P, Dixon, J C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.02.2004
• Subjects: Betula; Empetrum; Sweden
• ISSN: 1523-0430
• DOI: 10.1043/1523-0430(2004)036<0021:ROVDTS>2.0.CO;2

Kaerkevagge, 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 degree C at a Dryas site to -3.4 degree C at 1585 m at an alpine cryptogam site. Vegetation distribution in Kaerkevagge is related to climatic factors, which are controlled by elevation and landscape position, and edaphic factors, which control soil moisture and nutrient availability.