Herbaceous Community Structure and Function in the Kluane Region

Nutrient availability, not herbivory, is the primary driver of herbaceous biomass in Kluane's understory and grassland ecosystems. A 20-year study found that while fertilization increased vegetation nutrient content and biomass, it also led to the loss of 13 plant species, whereas natural mammalian herbivory had minimal impact on diversity or community structure. Additionally, a seven-year experiment revealed that graminoids play a more significant role in ecosystem functioning than their proportional biomass suggests, with functional group identity proving crucial. These findings underscore the importance of long-term experiments, particularly in northern ecosystems, to capture transient short-term responses and potential shifts due to climate change or unique events.

Turkington, R., McLaren, J. R., & Dale, M. R. T. (2014). Herbaceous Community Structure and Function in the Kluane Region. Arctic, 67(5), 98. https://doi.org/10.14430/arctic4351