by Nick Ludolph Winter Ecology Spring 2010 Mountain Research Station University of Colorado Boulder Introduction Initial Research Idea Repeat Photography Why it did not work My Next Idea Transects ID: 169422
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HUMAN SUPPRESSION OF SNOW AVALANCHES AND VEGETATION DYNAMICS IN THE SUBALPINE ECOSYSTEM
by Nick LudolphWinter Ecology – Spring 2010
Mountain Research Station, University of Colorado, BoulderSlide2
Introduction
Initial Research Idea – Repeat PhotographyWhy it did not workMy Next Idea – Transects
Avalanche Danger Too Extreme
Broader Picture – disturbance effects summer vegetation dynamics too
Literature Review – Human suppression and vegetationSlide3
Introduction (cont.)
Question: What is the effect of human suppression of the avalanche disturbance on the vegetation dynamics of subalpine forests?Hypothesis: Suppression of avalanches will decrease the biodiversity and ecosystem health found in avalanche areas
Alternate Hypothesis: Suppression will not decrease biodiversity or ecosystem healthSlide4
Introduction (cont.): Importance
Lack of research in general (Bebi et al 2008)Effect on forest structure
(Kulakowski et al 2006)
Regular disturbance (Rixen et al 2007)
Affects other forest disturbances
(Veblen et al 1994)
Economics – is suppression necessary?Slide5
Avalanche Suppression
Image: http://deputy-dog.com/2008/03/man-vs-mountain-avalanche-control.html Slide6
THE AFFECT OF SNOW FENCES
(Fuchs et al 2006)Slide7
THE EFFECTS ON VEGETATION OF ALTERING AVALANCHE FREQUENCY
(Bebi et al 2009)
Diversity
Structure of Individuals
Small DBH
Shorter
Slower growth rates
Structure of Stands
Homogenous
FrequencySlide8
What I FoundSlide9
Areas for Further Study
Land use changeClimate change
Increases avalanche frequency (
Huggel
2008)
Longer term
effects
Other
Suppression
techniques
Image: http://www.les-angles.com/hiver/images/stories/securite3.jpgSlide10
Literature Cited
Bebi, P., Kulakowski, D., & Rixen, C. (2009). Snow avalanche disturbances in forest ecosystems—State of research and implications for management. Forest Ecology and Management,
257
, 1883-1892. Retrieved February 17, 2010, from the Web of Science database.
Fuchs, S., Thoni, M., McAlpin, M. C., Gruber, U., & Brundl, M. (2006). Avalanche hazard mitigation strategies assessed by cost effectiveness analyses and cost benefit analyses—evidence from Davos, Switzerland.
Natural Hazards
,
41
, 113-129. Retrieved February 25, 2010, from the SpringerLink database.
Huggel, C., Caplan-Auerbach, J. and Wessels, R. (2008): Recent extreme avalanches: triggered by climate change? EOS, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 89(47), 469-470.
Ives, J. D., Mears A. I., Carrara P. E., and Bovis M. J. (1976). Natural Hazards of Mountain Colorado.
Annals of the Association of American Geographers
,
66
, 129-144. Retrieved February 25, 2010, from the Web of Science database.
Kittel, T. (Director) (2010, February 7). Winter Vegetation Ecology.
Winter Field Ecology
. Lecture conducted from University of Colorado, Niwot Ridge.
Kulakowski, D., Rixen, C., & Bebi, P. (2006). Changes in forest structure and in the relative importance of climatic stress as a result of suppression of avalanche disturbances.
Forest Ecology and Management
,
223
, 66-74. Retrieved February 16, 2010, from the Web of Science database.
Man vs mountain: avalanche control structures. (2008 February 3).
Deputy Dog
. Retrieved February 26, 2010, from http://deputy-dog.com/2008/03/man-vs-mountain-avalanche-control.html
Rixen, C., Haag, S., Kulakowski, D., & Bebi, P. (2007). Natural avalanche disturbance shapes plant diversity and species composition in subalpine forest belt.
Journal of Vegetation Science
,
18
, 735-742. Retrieved February 17, 2010, from the Web of Science database.
Veblen, T. T., Hadley, K. S., Nel, E. M., Kitzberger, T., Reid, M., & Villalba, R. (1994). Disturbance regime and disturbance interactions in a Rocky Mountain Subalpine Forest.
Journal of Ecology
,
82
, 125-135. Retrieved February 16, 2010, from the Web of Science database.