Net Primary Productivity of Subalpine Meadows in Yosemite National Park in Relation to Climate Variability

Subalpine meadows in Yosemite National Park exhibit distinct responses to climate variability, with net primary productivity (ANPP) showing contrasting trends across xeric, mesic, and hydric conditions. Xeric meadows experience reduced ANPP under higher snow water content and increased thawing degree days, while mesic meadows show a negative relationship with snow water content alone. Hydric meadows, however, display high within-year variability in ANPP, limiting sensitivity to climatic factors. These findings suggest that under projected warmer and drier conditions, ANPP may increase in mesic meadows but remain stable in xeric ones due to offsetting declines from temperature increases. The study employed a mixed-effects analysis of covariance model to evaluate relationships between ANPP and climatic variables—spring snow water content, snow-free date, and thawing degree days—across 64-m² plots sampled annually from 1994 to 2000.

Moore, P. E., van Wagtendonk, J. W., Yee, J. L., McClaran, M. P., Cole, D. N., McDougald, N. K., & Brooks, M. L. (2013). Net Primary Productivity of Subalpine Meadows in Yosemite National Park in Relation to Climate Variability. Western North American Naturalist, 73(4), 409–418. https://doi.org/10.3398/064.073.0410