Record Details

Reconnaissance botany of alpine ecosystems on Prince of Wales Island, southeast Alaska

ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University

Field Value
Title Reconnaissance botany of alpine ecosystems on Prince of Wales Island, southeast Alaska
Names Jaques, Dennis Randall (creator)
Chambers, Kenton L. (advisor)
Date Issued 1973-04-02 (iso8601)
Note Graduation date: 1973
Abstract A study of the Prince of Wales Island alpine areas was undertaken
to determine what species occur in the region and to describe
plant communities making up the alpine vegetation.
For one month in 1972, specimens were collected and 78 micro-plots
were analyzed for cover, frequency and constancy data. Three
basic habitat types were discovered, with different associations being
recognized on calcareous and noncalcareous substrates.
Alpine vegetation patterns are formed in a physiographically
unstable area. However, where conditions remain favorable for a
long enough period of time, a climatic climax of Empetrum-heath
vegetation develops. Elsewhere topographic climax vegetation exists.
The region is thought to have maintained a flora of significant
proportions at least since early post-Pleistocene time. The presence
of many disjunct species indicates that floral elements may have survived Pleistocene ice advances in various refugial sites. The
west coast of Prince of Wales Island appears to have served as a
small migration center following Pleistocene ice recession.
Genre Thesis/Dissertation
Topic Mountain plants -- Alaska -- Prince of Wales Island
Identifier http://hdl.handle.net/1957/14254

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