Factors influencing trace element cycling by Arctic vegetation in different habitats : a case study in Abisko, Sweden

Details

Supervisors

Agnan, Yannick ; Opfergelt, Sophie

Faculty

Faculté des bioingénieurs

Degree label

Master [120] : bioingénieur en sciences et technologies de l'environnement, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

Arctic warming and permafrost degradation are reshaping northern ecosystems by altering microtopography, soil water dynamics, nutrient availability, and vegetation succession. These shifts in vegetation composition and changes in soil physical and chemical conditions may influence mineral element cycling by vegetation. This master's thesis aims to understand how plants cycle trace elements across different Arctic habitats. To investigate this, trace element concentrations in plants and soil are examined for 2021 at two study sites in Abisko, Sweden: a peatland mire and a heathland. Within each site, three habitats are studied along gradients of abiotic conditions such as pH and soil moisture. Nine widely distributed Arctic plant species with varying rooting depths are analyzed. Within a habitat, the order of foliar element concentrations from most to least concentrated is Mn > Fe > Zn > Ti > Cu > Mo > V > Cd > As. The results demonstrate that foliar element concentrations varied across Arctic habitats due to several factors: soil properties, habitat floristic composition, and plant physiology. They also indicate that variations in soil concentrations or the floristic composition of the habitats alter the foliar concentrations, thereby impacting foliar stocks and fluxes. As Arctic warming modifies soil characteristics and the floristic composition of habitats, foliar element concentrations will be altered accordingly, modifying foliar stocks and fluxes.