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The effects of an enhanced UV-B radiation on a sub-arctic heath ecosystem

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Author

Summary, in English

To investigate the effects of increased UV-B radiation on a natural subarctic ecosystem a field irradiation experiment was established at Abisko, northern Sweden. The vegetation in the plots consists of a dwarf shrub layer with mosses and lichens beneath. Many response variables of the vegetation and soil are measured in these plots, e.g. photosynthesis, growth, phenology, changes in species composition and decomposition. This paper describes the methods used and some initial results. Decomposition was imparied by enhanced UV-B radiation. UV-B directly affected decomposition processes and also affected them indirectly by altering the tissue chemistry of leaves. The annual growth of the dwarf shrubs was lower under enhanced UV-B. This was more pronounced in evergreen than in deciduous species. Leaf thickness of the dwarf shrubs was changed by UV-B. The leaves of the evergreen Vaccinium vitis-idaea grew thicker, while those of the two deciduous species V. myrtillus and V. uliginosum grew thinner. In the moss Hylocomium splendens, the phenological development was accelerated under enhanced UV-B radiation. Its growth (number of primary branches, length and dry weight) also increased.

Publishing year

1995

Language

English

Pages

106-112

Publication/Series

Ambio: a Journal of Human Environment

Volume

24

Issue

2

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Springer

Topic

  • Biological Sciences
  • Ecology

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0044-7447