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Changes in Species, Areal Cover, and Production of Moss across a Fire Chronosequence in Interior Alaska

Open-File Report 2009-1208
By: , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20091208

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Abstract

In an effort to characterize the species and production rates of various upland mosses and their relationship to both site drainage and time since fire, annual net primary production of six common moss species was measured. Several stands located near Delta Junction, interior Alaska, were located. These stands ranged from one to 116 years since fire in well-drained (dry) and moderately to somewhat poorly drained (wet) black spruce (Picea mariana)-feathermoss systems. Moss species composition varied greatly during the fire cycle, with Ceratodon purpureus dominating the earliest years after a fire, Aulacomnium palustre dominating the transitional and older stages, and Hylocomium splendens dominating the oldest, mature sites. Polytrichum spp. was found at all sites. Average moss cover ranged from <10 percent in the youngest sites to almost 90 percent in the mature sites. Species from the genus Polytrichum were the most productive and contributed up to 30 g m2 of organic matter in one growing season. Least productive was Rhytidium rugosum, which contributed about 1.5 g m2 of organic matter in mature stands. Recovery of moss productivity after fire was not significantly different for wet and dry sites.

Suggested Citation

Harden, J., Munster, J., Manies, K., Mack, M., and Bubier, J., 2009, Changes in Species, Areal Cover, and Production of Moss across a Fire Chronosequence in Interior Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1208, Report: v, 22 p.; Data Files, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20091208.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Changes in Species, Areal Cover, and Production of Moss across a Fire Chronosequence in Interior Alaska
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2009-1208
DOI 10.3133/ofr20091208
Year Published 2009
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) U.S. Geological Survey
Description Report: v, 22 p.; Data Files
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details