Effects of experimental warming on nitrogen concentration and biomass of forage plants for an arctic herbivore

摘要: Summary In many arctic herbivores, the growth of young depends upon a synchrony between hatching date and seasonal change in plant nutritive quality. If plants respond more quickly than herbivores to climate warming, this may cause mismatch availability high-quality food young. This study examines impact experimental warming on main an herbivore, greater snow goose (Chen caerulescens atlanticaL.) breeding Bylot Island, Nunavut, Canada. During summers 2007–2009, we increased temperature using small glasshouses (open-top chambers, OTC) two habitats, wetlands mesic tundra. Every 10 days, measured above-ground biomass proxy quality, nitrogen concentration, graminoid warmed control plots from snowmelt June until late July. Open-top chambers mean maximum by up 2.0 °C 4.6 °C Annual significantly graminoids 29% 20% There was no difference concentration four species sampled (Dupontia fisheri, Eriophorum scheuchzeri, Arctagrostis latifolia Luzula spp.) early season, but decline occurred rapidly (10% 14% less July). effect consistent across 3 years experiment independent annual variation phenology. either weak positive or treatment depending period season. Synthesis. Our results show that speeds phenology quality for herbivores. Because like geese are highly sensitive their food, warmer will likely reduce growth. Climate therefore have negative population dynamic reducing summer forage.