Development of opinions on the geobiodiversity
of the Giant Mountains arctic-alpine tundra
Štursa Jan
Krkonoše National Park Administration
International Scientific Conference
MOUNTAIN PROTECTED AREAS IN A CHANGING WORLD
Krkonoše 21-24 May 2013
I will speak about:
•Previous history of tundra
in the GM
•Tundra concept and
its description in the year 1995
•Spatial pattern of tundra in the GM
•Terminological weaknesses
•Comparison with other Hercynids and Scandes
•Monitoring and actual research in the GM tundra
•Results of multidisciplinary research of tundra
•Threat and necessity of specific management forms
International Scientific Conference
MOUNTAIN PROTECTED AREAS IN A CHANGING WORLD
Krkonoše 21-24 May 2013
History of description of the tundra phenomenon in the GM
First naturalists : Partch (1894) Högbom (1914), Mattick (1941), Walczak (1948)
Sekyra (1952, 1960), Jahn (1954), Jeník (1961)….
Tundra concept and its description in the year 1995
Increasing number of the evidences about tundra phenomenon – new slogan
Giant Mountain – an island of Nordic tundra in the heart of Europe
Soukupová et col. 1995: Arctic –alpine tundra in the Krkonoše , The Sudetes.
Opera Corcontica 32: 5-88
Spatial pattern of arctic –alpine tundra of the Giant Mountains
How to describe correct so different habitats and mountain landscape ?
Three zones of GM AAT
1. cryo-eolian zone - lichen tundra
2. vegetated-cryogenic zone - grassland tundra
3. niveo-glacigenic zone - glacial cirques,
flower-rich tundra
Most important and unique phenomenon of the GM AAT
Most important and unique phenomenon of the GM AAT
Discussion about correct terminology
3 basic attributes of tundra biom:
• Presence of permafrost
• Climate is too harsh for growth of trees (tree less biom)
• Average yearly temperature bellow 0o C
Tundra terminology:
American school: low arctic and high arctic,
Russion school (or northern european terminology))
• low-, middle- and high-arctic
• northern taiga - forest tundra – southern tundra –typical tundra –
• arctic tundra - polar desert
European terminology for alpine tundra:
subalpine-alpine-subnival-nival zone/belt
subalpine forests – ecotone Pinus mugo, Picea, Larix, Betula…
In the last time lower- and upper alpine belt - subnival – nival zone/belt
Comparison with other European High- and Middle-mountains
Scandes
Scottish Highlands
Snowdonia Mts.
Ural
Hercynian Mountains ( High Sudetes, Harz, Schwarzwald, Vosges,
Massif Central…
Alps
Carpathians
Pyrenees
Caucasus
Dinaric Alps, Rilla-Rodopi Massif
Apennines
Hercynian Mountains ( High Sudetes, Harz, Schwarzwald, Vosges,
Massif Central
Differences between High Sudetes and other Hercynids
Oceanity and continentality , climate conditions, soils, geology
More arctic/subarctic tundra phenomena (cryorelif, plant communities,) in
the High Sudetes than in Schwarzwald , Vosges or Snowdonia Mts.
Hercynian Mountains in western Europe represent mostly alpine tundra
habitats (e.g. matgrass meadows Nardion instead Nardo-Caricion
rigidae)
Intensive research and monitoring of the GM AAT
•Frequent comparison with tundra in Scandes
•Description of new phenomena – various types of frost sorted mezo-relief forms
•Important role of alpine treeless area for cryo-processes and other forms of relief,
e.g. mountain beeded streams
•Very serious debate between foresters and biologist about correct balance between
Pinus mugo stands and Nardus grasslands on etchplains
Changes in opinion how to protect values of the GM AAT
• Not only single species or habitats but connectivity of processes
• Protection of natural disturbances (avalanches, earth slides
• Diminishing of harmfull influences:
- trampling, expanding of fringe weed communities
- building activities, form of repairing mountain trails, etc.
- opening of too dense canopy of dwarf pine stands on both etchplains
New perspectives in the research and management of GM AAT
Detailed monitoring on permanent plots in diverse tundra habitats.
Evaluation of all symptoms of climate change impacts/ ecotone of alpine treeline .
Maintanance of all recent cryogenic microprocesses important for fragile balance.
between treeless upper alpine zone and shruby vegetation in lower alpine zone.
Convenient instruments for active management:
• deep understanding of tundra phenomenon
• good construction of management plan for KRNAP
• a lot of enthusiasm for demanding
field work in tundra environment.
Thank you
for attention