Effects of physical disturbance on arctic vegetation in the Queen Elizabeth Islands.
Abstract
Soil disturbance (vehicle tracks, carcass sites, etc.) did not generally cause serious erosion and thermokarst arising from increased soil heat flux. Severe growing conditions which inhibited development of the insulative plant canopy exerted the major influence on soil heat flux and resultant depth of thaw. However, thaw depth was more directly related to soil moisture conditions. Manipulation studies were shown to be suitable for the High Arctic region. Natural revegetation was slow, and management for rehabilitation was discussed.