Global Observation Research Initiative in the Alpine
Glacier National Park GLORIA project: an evaluation of changes in alpine plant species composition and distribution.
Lindsey E. Bengtson ‐ USGS
Daniel B. Fagre, Ph.D. – USGS
Jen Asebrook – NPS
Jennifer Hintz‐NPS
Relationships Between Temperature Trends in Western Montana and the Northern Hemisphere
1900‐2006
• + 1.33°C rise in annual average temperatures in western Montana
• ~ 1.8 times > +0.74°C rise in Global temperatures
Pederson, et al 2010
Pederson et al. (2010)
Air Temperature Trends – Western Montana
Loss of ~ month of extremely cold days (< ‐18oC; 0oF)
3‐fold increase in extremely hot days (>32oC; 90oF) Pederson et al. (2010)
High Elevations
Pederson, 2011
Grinnell Glacier
Hileman photo
GNP Archives
1938
Key photo, USGS
1981
Fagre photo, USGS
1998
Bengtson photo, USGS
2009
Upward migration of Tree line
Eriogonum androsaeceum, endemic
Photo courtesy of Paul Ollig
GLobal Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments
GLORIA
Seward 8914 ft
Alpine Species
Pitamakan 8179
Alpine/subalpine
species
Bison 7831 ft
Grassland/alpine species
Dancing Lady 7365 ft
Grassland/alpine species
Plot Layout
GLORIA Research Questions
• Has species richness and composition changed?
• Is there evidence of immigration of species from lower to higher altitudes?
• Has species frequency changed?
• Are the endemic species of the study area more affected than species with a broad distribution range?
• How sensitive are the species Dancing Lady Mtn July, 2009
Photo Documentation
Conditions at mountain summits in Glacier National Park can be harsh!
What is the temperature gradient in the alpine?
Summit
# of Species
Making Income
Not doing So Hot
m
eolatu
c
n
a
l
Sedum f stonecrop
ea
Spearl
Festuca idahoensis
Idaho fescue
T ar a x a
tion, Institu
ian ithson h Collection
m
S
p
f sy o
hotogra
Courte . Howard P
A
Richard
KN
ing at P
d
a
e
r
p
D, s
to SW
New
cum ce
r a to
Da n d e l p h o r u m
io n GL
and D
Courtesy of Glacier National Park
Courtesy
of Rob
New t
o DGL, s
preadin
g at P
Phacelia sericea
Silky phacelia
New to PKN, spreading at SWD and DGL
ert J. Bie
lesch
Grassland Species
Lost at DGL, decreasing at BSN
KN and
SWD
Saxifraga caespitosa
Tufted saxifrage
Decreasing at SWD, PKN, and BSN
Papaver pygmaeum
Courtesy of Melissa Hornbein
New to SWD
What is the cause of change?
Natural Variability?
Competitive Balance?
Inter‐annual variability?
Climate Change?
What’s happening at other GLORIA sites around the world?
• 10th annual GLORIA conference in Perth, 2010, showed similar results at this latitude.
• Several Studies have revealed alterations of species richness in high alpine mtns, with shifts in distribution evident in Euro mtns.
• + 1.5 species/m^2 in 10 years in Central Austrian Alps (Pauli, et al. 2007)
Elevational shift of 24 new species above 2600 m
Now What?
• Time will tell
– Need more years of data – Gain better understanding of natural variability
• Expand protocol
– Examine functional traits
– Collaborate with GNP botanists to expand life history information, distribution ranges, etc. of specific species
– Identify and monitor biological indicator species
– Conduct surveys farther down slope
– Establish a West side site
DGL East New Species (11m)
CARALB
MEROBL
PENALB
PHALYA
POAALP
POANEMI
RHOINTI
SEDROS
SELDEN
SMECAL
Plant Functional Traits
Vegetative Traits
Regenerative Traits
Leaf Traits
•Growth form
•Dispersal mode, shape •Specific leaf and size
area (SLA)
•Life form
•Seed mass
•Leaf size
•Plant height
•Flowering phenology
•Leaf dry matter content
•Leaf phenology
Monitoring the effect of climate change on snow‐bed related plants
Conclusions
‐Climate is warming is our region and affecting the alpine
‐Increase in alpine plant species number and abundance over five years.
‐Greatest community structure changes occurring on north and east aspects.
‐Further investigation needed to understand species sensitivity and response to inter‐annual fluctuation.
‐Intra‐annual assessment will improve understanding of scope of change. ‐Identifying functional traits will help local and regional analysis
‐GLORIA has served as an anchor point that has piqued interest in other types of studies.
Thank you 2009/2010/2011 GLORIA research team:
Jen Asebrook
Jennifer Hintz
Kendra Hinxman
Melissa Hornbein
Pete Delzotto
Lindsey Bengtson
Paul Ollig and Lisa McKeon
Kevin Jacks and Erich Peitzsch
Martha Apple and James
www.gloria.ac.at/
www.fs.fed.us/psw/cirmount/wkgrps/gloria/