Shrub expansion in tundra ecosystems: dynamics, impacts and research priorities
Open accessAbstract
Recent research using repeat photography, long-term ecological monitoring and dendrochronology has documented shrub expansion in arctic, high-latitude and alpine tundra ecosystems. Here, we (1) synthesize these findings, (2) present a conceptual framework that identifies mechanisms and constraints on shrub increase, (3) explore causes, feedbacks and implications of the increased shrub cover in tundra ecosystems, and (4) address potential lines of investigation for future research. Satellite observations from around the circumpolar Arctic, showing increased productivity, measured as changes in ‘greenness’, have coincided with a general rise in high-latitude air temperatures and have been partly attributed to increases in shrub cover. Studies indicate that warming temperatures, changes in snow cover, altered disturbance regimes as a result of permafrost thaw, tundra fires, and anthropogenic activities or changes in herbivory intensity are all contributing to observed changes in shrub abundance. A large-scale increase in shrub cover will change the structure of tundra ecosystems and alter energy fluxes, regional climate, soil–atmosphere exchange of water, carbon and nutrients, and ecological interactions between species. In order to project future rates of shrub expansion and understand the feedbacks to ecosystem and climate processes, future research should investigate the species or trait-specific responses of shrubs to climate change including: (1) the temperature sensitivity of shrub growth, (2) factors controlling the recruitment of new individuals, and (3) the relative influence of the positive and negative feedbacks involved in shrub expansion.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Landscape-scale changes in vegetation, such as shrubification, affect ecosystems at multiple trophic levels.
“Landscape-scale changes in vegetation (e.g., shrubification), affect ecosystems at multiple trophic levels (Myers-Smith et al. 2011; Mod and Luoto 2016)”
From Muskox status, recent variation, and uncertain future (2020) · cites this paper as Myers-Smith et al. 2011
Section 4.3 (page unavailable) reports that increasing shrub cover is associated with changes in tundra plant diversity and discusses possible consequences for food webs and wildlife. It describes effects on caribou, reindeer and other animals as potential, so it does not fully support the claim’s unqualified assertion of effects across multiple trophic levels. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Global surface temperature change
Hansen, J., Ruedy, R., Sato, M., & Lo, K. (2010) · Reviews of Geophysics · doi:10.1029/2010rg000345 · Cited by 3,081 · cited 4× · see citing works
“Decreases in shrub cover were observed in northwestern Arctic Russia where willows failed to regenerate in vehicle tracks two decades after the initial disturbance, due to the development of a graminoid-dominated sward [91].”
BackgroundInfluentialObservational Evidence of Recent Change in the Northern High-Latitude Environment
Serreze, M. C., Walsh, J. E., Chapin, F. S., Osterkamp, T. E., Dyurgerov, M. B., Romanovsky, V. E., Oechel, W. C., Morison, J. H., Zhang, T., & Barry, R. G. (2000) · Climatic Change · doi:10.1023/a:1005504031923 · Cited by 1,910 · see citing works
Evidence and Implications of Recent Climate Change in Northern Alaska and Other Arctic Regions
Hinzman, L. D., Bettez, N. D., Bolton, W. R., Chapin, F. S., Dyurgerov, M. B., Fastie, C. L., Griffith, B., Hollister, R. D., Hope, A. S., Huntington, H. P., et al. (2005) · Climatic Change · doi:10.1007/s10584-005-5352-2 · Cited by 1,423 · see citing works
Self-citationResponses of Arctic Tundra to Experimental and Observed Changes in Climate
Chapin, F. S., Shaver, G. R., Giblin, A. E., Nadelhoffer, K. J., & Laundre, J. A. (1995) · Ecology · doi:10.2307/1939337 · Cited by 1,411 · see citing works
Role of Land-Surface Changes in Arctic Summer Warming
Chapin, F. S., Sturm, M., Serreze, M. C., McFadden, J. P., Key, J. R., Lloyd, A. H., McGUIRE, A. D., Rupp, T. S., Lynch, A. H., Schimel, J., et al. (2005) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1117368 · Cited by 1,365 · see citing works
Self-citationIncreasing shrub abundance in the Arctic
Sturm, M., Racine, C., & Tape, K. (2001) · Nature · doi:10.1038/35079180 · Cited by 1,349 · see citing works
Self-citationThe evidence for shrub expansion in Northern Alaska and the Pan‐Arctic
Tape, K. D., Sturm, M., & Racine, C. H. (2006) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2006.01128.x · Cited by 1,321 · see citing works
Self-citationPlant community responses to experimental warming across the tundra biome
Walker, M. D., Wahren, C. H., Hollister, R. D., Henry, G. H. R., Ahlquist, L. E., Alatalo, J. M., Bret-Harte, M. S., Calef, M. P., Callaghan, T. V., Carroll, A. B., et al. (2006) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.0503198103 · Cited by 1,310 · see citing works
Self-citationEcological Dynamics Across the Arctic Associated with Recent Climate Change
Post, E., Forchhammer, M. C., Bret-Harte, M. S., Callaghan, T. V., Christensen, T. R., Elberling, B., Fox, A. D., Gilg, O., Hik, D. S., Høye, T. T., et al. (2009) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1173113 · Cited by 1,249 · see citing works
Self-citationThe effect of permafrost thaw on old carbon release and net carbon exchange from tundra
Schuur, E. A. G., Vogel, J. G., Crummer, K. G., Lee, H., Sickman, J. O., & Osterkamp, T. E. (2009) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature08031 · Cited by 1,117 · see citing works
Barber, V. A., Juday, G. P., & Finney, B. P. (2000) · Nature · doi:10.1038/35015049 · Cited by 1,056 · see citing works
Ecosystem carbon storage in arctic tundra reduced by long-term nutrient fertilization
Mack, M. C., Schuur, E. A. G., Bret-Harte, M. S., Shaver, G. R., & Chapin, F. S. (2004) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature02887 · Cited by 1,030 · see citing works
Abrupt increase in permafrost degradation in Arctic Alaska
Jorgenson, M. T., Shur, Y. L., & Pullman, E. R. (2006) · Geophysical Research Letters · doi:10.1029/2005gl024960 · Cited by 848 · see citing works
Arft, A. M., Walker, M. D., Gurevitch, J., Alatalo, J. M., Bret-Harte, M. S., Dale, M. R. T., Diemer, M. W., Gugerli, F., Henry, G. H. R., Jones, M. H., et al. (1999) · Ecological Monographs · doi:10.1890/0012-9615(1999)069[0491:rotpte]2.0.co;2 · Cited by 829 · see citing works
Self-citationKasischke, E. S., & Turetsky, M. R. (2006) · Geophysical Research Letters · doi:10.1029/2006gl025677 · Cited by 768 · see citing works
RAPID EVOLUTION OF AN INVASIVE PLANT
Maron, J. L., Vilà, M., Bommarco, R., et al. (2004) · Ecological Monographs · doi:10.1890/03-4027 · Cited by 699 · see citing works
Winter Biological Processes Could Help Convert Arctic Tundra to Shrubland
Sturm, M., Schimel, J., Michaelson, G. J., Welker, J. M., Oberbauer, S. F., Liston, G. E., Fahnestock, J. T., & Romanovsky, V. E. (2005) · BioScience · doi:10.1641/0006-3568(2005)055[0017:wbpchc]2.0.co;2 · Cited by 695 · see citing works
Self-citationRemote sensing of vegetation and land-cover change in Arctic Tundra Ecosystems
Stow, D. A., Hope, A. S., McGuire, D., Verbyla, D. L., Gamon, J. A., Huemmrich, F., Houston, S., Racine, C. H., Sturm, M., Tape, K. D., et al. (2004) · Remote Sensing of Environment · doi:10.1016/j.rse.2003.10.018 · Cited by 668 · see citing works
Self-citationGoetz, S. J., Bunn, A. G., Fiske, G. J., & Houghton, R. A. (2005) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.0506179102 · Cited by 650 · see citing works
Self-citationSchimel, J. P., Bilbrough, C. J., & Welker, J. M. (2003) · Soil Biology and Biochemistry · doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2003.09.008 · Cited by 624 · see citing works
Self-citationDemographic compensation and tipping points in climate-induced range shifts
Doak, D. F., & Morris, W. F. (2010) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature09439 · Cited by 549 · see citing works
Shaver, G. R., & Chapin, F. S. (1980) · Ecology · doi:10.2307/1937432 · Cited by 541 · see citing works
Russian Arctic warming and ‘greening’ are closely tracked by tundra shrub willows
Forbes, B. C., Macias‐Fauria, M., & Zetterberg, P. (2009) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.02047.x · Cited by 521 · see citing works
Self-citationThe altitude-for-latitude disparity in the range retractions of woody species
Jump, A. S., Mátýas, C., & Peñuelas, J. (2009) · Trends in Ecology & Evolution · doi:10.1016/j.tree.2009.06.007 · Cited by 509 · see citing works
Opposing plant community responses to warming with and without herbivores
Post, E., & Pedersen, C. (2008) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.0802421105 · Cited by 491 · see citing works
Cornelissen, J. H. C., van Bodegom, P. M., Aerts, R., Callaghan, T. V., van Logtestijn, R. S. P., Alatalo, J. M., Chapin, F. S., Gerdol, R., Guðmundsson, J., Dylan Gwynn-jones, A., et al. (2007) · Ecology Letters · doi:10.1111/j.1461-0248.2007.01051.x · Cited by 477 · see citing works
Self-citationA review of snow manipulation experiments in Arctic and alpine tundra ecosystems
Wipf, S., & Rixen, C. (2010) · Polar Research · doi:10.1111/j.1751-8369.2010.00153.x · Cited by 451 · see citing works
Self-citationCarbon loss from an unprecedented Arctic tundra wildfire
Mack, M. C., Bret-Harte, M. S., Hollingsworth, T. N., Jandt, R. R., Schuur, E. A. G., Shaver, G. R., & Verbyla, D. L. (2011) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature10283 · Cited by 445 · see citing works
Wookey, P. A., Aerts, R., Bardgett, R. D., Baptist, F., Bråthen, K. A., Cornelissen, J. H. C., Gough, L., Hartley, I. P., HOPKINS, D. W., Lavorel, S., et al. (2008) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2008.01801.x · Cited by 434 · see citing works
Cornelissen, J. H. C., Callaghan, T. V., Alatalo, J. M., Michelsen, A., Graglia, E., Hartley, A. E., Hik, D. S., Hobbie, S. E., Press, M. C., Robinson, C. H., et al. (2001) · Journal of Ecology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2745.2001.00625.x · Cited by 426 · see citing works
Self-citationCircumpolar Arctic Tundra Vegetation Change Is Linked to Sea Ice Decline
Bhatt, U. S., Walker, D. A., Raynolds, M. K., Comiso, J. C., Epstein, H. E., Jia, G., Gens, R., Pinzón, J. E. D., Tucker, C. J., Tweedie, C. E., et al. (2010) · Earth Interactions · doi:10.1175/2010ei315.1 · Cited by 390 · see citing works
Self-citationHerbivores inhibit climate‐driven shrub expansion on the tundra
Olofsson, J., Oksanen, L., Callaghan, T. V., Hulme, P. E., Oksanen, T., & Suominen, O. (2009) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.01935.x · Cited by 387 · see citing works
van Wijk, M. T., Clemmensen, K. E., Shaver, G. R., Williams, M., Callaghan, T. V., Chapin, F. S., Cornelissen, J. H. C., Gough, L., Hobbie, S. E., Jonasson, S., et al. (2003) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2003.00719.x · Cited by 379 · see citing works
Greening of arctic Alaska, 1981–2001
Jia, G., Epstein, H. E., & Walker, D. A. (2003) · Geophysical Research Letters · doi:10.1029/2003gl018268 · Cited by 365 · see citing works
Self-citationCornelissen, J. H. C., Callaghan, T. V., Alatalo, J. M., Michelsen, A., Graglia, E., Hartley, A. E., Hik, D. S., Hobbie, S. E., Press, M. C., Robinson, C. H., et al. (2001) · Journal of Ecology · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2745.2001.00625.x · Cited by 358 · see citing works
Self-citationShrub expansion may reduce summer permafrost thaw in Siberian tundra
Blok, D., Heijmans, M., Schaepman-Strub, G., Kononov, A., Maximov, T., & Berendse, F. (2010) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.02110.x · Cited by 350 · see citing works
Self-citationIncreasing rates of retrogressive thaw slump activity in the Mackenzie Delta region, N.W.T., Canada
Lantz, T. C., & Kokelj, S. V. (2008) · Geophysical Research Letters · doi:10.1029/2007gl032433 · Cited by 346 · see citing works
Self-citationClimate change in the Arctic: using plant functional types in a meta‐analysis of field experiments
Dormann, C. F., & Woodin, S. J. (2002) · Functional Ecology · doi:10.1046/j.0269-8463.2001.00596.x · Cited by 342 · see citing works
Variability, contingency and rapid change in recent subarctic alpine tree line dynamics
Danby, R. K., & Hik, D. S. (2007) · Journal of Ecology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2745.2006.01200.x · Cited by 341 · see citing works
Self-citationThawing permafrost and thicker active layers in sub‐arctic Sweden
Åkerman, H. J., & Johansson, M. (2008) · Permafrost and Periglacial Processes · doi:10.1002/ppp.626 · Cited by 340 · see citing works
Frequent Long-Distance Plant Colonization in the Changing Arctic
Alsos, I. G., Eidesen, P. B., Ehrich, D., et al. (2007) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1139178 · Cited by 338 · see citing works
Changing snow and shrub conditions affect albedo with global implications
Sturm, M., Douglas, T., Racine, C. H., & Liston, G. E. (2005) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/2005jg000013 · Cited by 332 · see citing works
Hallinger, M., Manthey, M. J., & Wilmking, M. (2010) · New Phytologist · doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2010.03223.x · Cited by 327 · see citing works
Self-citationBigelow, N. H., Brubaker, L. B., Edwards, M. E., Harrison, S. P., Prentice, I. C., Anderson, P. M., ANDREEV, A. A., Bartlein, P. J., Christensen, T. R., Crämer, W., et al. (2003) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/2002jd002558 · Cited by 320 · see citing works
Unexpected impacts of climate change on alpine vegetation
Cannone, N., Sgorbati, S., & Guglielmin, M. (2007) · Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment · doi:10.1890/1540-9295(2007)5[360:uiocco]2.0.co;2 · Cited by 317 · see citing works
Bokhorst, S., Bjerke, J. W., Tømmervik, H., et al. (2009) · Journal of Ecology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2745.2009.01554.x · Cited by 300 · see citing works
(2007) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.45-0276 · Cited by 283 · see citing works
High resilience in the Yamal-Nenets social–ecological system, West Siberian Arctic, Russia
Forbes, B. C., Stammler, F., Kumpula, T., Meschtyb, N. A., Pajunen, A., & Kaarlejärvi, E. (2009) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.0908286106 · Cited by 270 · see citing works
Self-citationRelationship between satellite-derived land surface temperatures, arctic vegetation types, and NDVI
Raynolds, M. K., Comiso, J. C., WALKER, D., & Verbyla, D. L. (2007) · Remote Sensing of Environment · doi:10.1016/j.rse.2007.09.008 · Cited by 266 · see citing works
Accelerated Arctic land warming and permafrost degradation during rapid sea ice loss
Lawrence, D. M., Slater, A. G., Tomas, R. A., Holland, M. M., & Deser, C. (2008) · Geophysical Research Letters · doi:10.1029/2008gl033985 · Cited by 252 · see citing works
DEVELOPMENTAL PLASTICITY ALLOWSBETULA NANATO DOMINATE TUNDRA SUBJECTED TO AN ALTERED ENVIRONMENT
Bret-Harte, M. S., Shaver, G. R., Zoerner, J. P., et al. (2001) · Ecology · doi:10.1890/0012-9658(2001)082[0018:dpabnt]2.0.co;2 · Cited by 251 · see citing works
Reindeer influence on ecosystem processes in the tundra
Olofsson, J., Stark, S., & Oksanen, L. (2004) · Oikos · doi:10.1111/j.0030-1299.2004.13048.x · Cited by 251 · see citing works
Increased plant biomass in a High Arctic heath community from 1981 to 2008
Hudson, J. M., & Henry, G. H. R. (2009) · Ecology · doi:10.1890/09-0102.1 · Cited by 251 · see citing works
Frequent Fires in Ancient Shrub Tundra: Implications of Paleorecords for Arctic Environmental Change
Higuera, P. E., Brubaker, L. B., Anderson, P. M., Brown, T. A., Kennedy, A. T., & Hu, F. S. (2008) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0001744 · Cited by 240 · see citing works
Direct and indirect effects of temperature on arctic plants
Chapin, F. S. (1983) · Polar Biology · doi:10.1007/bf00258285 · Cited by 235 · see citing works
Patterns and processes of global shrub expansion
Naito, A. T., & Cairns, D. M. (2011) · Progress in Physical Geography Earth and Environment · doi:10.1177/0309133311403538 · Cited by 230 · see citing works
Modelled changes in arctic tundra snow, energy and moisture fluxes due to increased shrubs
Liston, G. E., McFadden, J. P., Sturm, M., & Pielke, R. A. (2002) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1046/j.1354-1013.2001.00416.x · Cited by 225 · see citing works
Vegetation history of northcentral Alaska: A mapped summary of late-quaternary pollen data
Anderson, P. M., & Brubaker, L. B. (1994) · Quaternary Science Reviews · doi:10.1016/0277-3791(94)90125-2 · Cited by 219 · see citing works
Pomeroy, J. W., Bewley, D., Essery, R., Hedstrom, N., Link, T. E., Granger, R. J., Sicart, J., Ellis, C. R., & Janowicz, J. R. (2006) · Hydrological Processes · doi:10.1002/hyp.6124 · Cited by 207 · see citing works
What are the main climate drivers for shrub growth in Northeastern Siberian tundra
Blok, D., Sass-Klaassen, U., Schaepman-Strub, G., Heijmans, M., Sauren, P., & Berendse, F. (2011) · Biogeosciences · doi:10.5194/bg-8-1169-2011 · Cited by 206 · see citing works
Self-citationLantz, T. C., Kokelj, S. V., Gergel, S. E., & Henry, G. H. R. (2009) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.01917.x · Cited by 200 · see citing works
Self-citationVegetation greening in the canadian arctic related to decadal warming
Jia, G., Epstein, H. E., & Walker, D. A. (2009) · Journal of Environmental Monitoring · doi:10.1039/b911677j · Cited by 196 · see citing works
Self-citationClimate change effects on species interactions in an alpine plant community
Klanderud, K. (2004) · Journal of Ecology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2745.2004.00944.x · Cited by 195 · see citing works
Bokhorst, S., Bjerke, J. W., Bowles, F. W., Melillo, J. M., Callaghan, T. V., & Phoenix, G. K. (2008) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2008.01689.x · Cited by 195 · see citing works
Deslippe, J. R., Hartmann, M., Mohn, W. W., & Simard, S. W. (2010) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2010.02318.x · Cited by 194 · see citing works
Deepened snow alters soil microbial nutrient limitations in arctic birch hummock tundra
Buckeridge, K. M., & Grogan, P. (2008) · Applied Soil Ecology · doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2007.12.010 · Cited by 192 · see citing works
Self-citationLacelle, D., Bjornson, J., & Lauriol, B. (2009) · Permafrost and Periglacial Processes · doi:10.1002/ppp.666 · Cited by 179 · see citing works
Blok, D., Schaepman-Strub, G., Bartholomeus, H., Heijmans, M., Maximov, T., & Berendse, F. (2011) · Environmental Research Letters · doi:10.1088/1748-9326/6/3/035502 · Cited by 179 · see citing works
Self-citationPatterns of Shrub Invasion into High Mountain Grasslands of the Northern Calcareous Alps, Austria
Dullinger, S., Dirnböck, T., & Grabherr, G. (2003) · Arctic Antarctic and Alpine Research · doi:10.1657/1523-0430(2003)035[0434:posiih]2.0.co;2 · Cited by 178 · see citing works
Bunn, A. G., & Goetz, S. J. (2006) · Earth Interactions · doi:10.1175/ei190.1 · Cited by 176 · see citing works
Self-citationHolocene Tree‐Limit and Climate History from the Scandes Mountains, Sweden
Kullman, L. (1995) · Ecology · doi:10.2307/2265823 · Cited by 171 · see citing works
Wipf, S., Rixen, C., & Mulder, C. P. H. (2006) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2006.01185.x · Cited by 168 · see citing works
Self-citationArctic alpine vegetation change over 20 years
Wilson, S. D., & Nilsson, C. F. (2009) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.01896.x · Cited by 166 · see citing works
Changes in thaw lake drainage in the Western Canadian Arctic from 1950 to 2000
Marsh, P., Russell, M., Pohl, S., et al. (2008) · Hydrological Processes · doi:10.1002/hyp.7179 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Bret-Harte, M. S., Shaver, G. R., & Chapin, F. S. (2002) · Journal of Ecology · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2745.2001.00657.x · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Joly, K., Jandt, R. R., & Klein, D. R. (2009) · Polar Research · doi:10.1111/j.1751-8369.2009.00113.x · Cited by 160 · see citing works
Nobrega, S., & Grogan, P. (2007) · Ecosystems · doi:10.1007/s10021-007-9033-z · Cited by 157 · see citing works
Self-citationShrub expansion at the forest–tundra ecotone: spatial heterogeneity linked to local topography
Ropars, P., & Boudreau, S. (2012) · Environmental Research Letters · doi:10.1088/1748-9326/7/1/015501 · Cited by 157 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Cooling Capacity of Mosses: Controls on Water and Energy Fluxes in a Siberian Tundra Site
Blok, D., Heijmans, M., Schaepman‐Strub, G., et al. (2011) · Ecosystems · doi:10.1007/s10021-011-9463-5 · Cited by 156 · see citing works
Self-citationResponses of High Arctic wet sedge tundra to climate warming since 1980
Hill, G., & Henry, G. H. R. (2010) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2010.02244.x · Cited by 154 · see citing works
Anthropogenic Disturbance and Patch Dynamics in Circumpolar Arctic Ecosystems
Forbes, B. C., Ebersole, J. J., & Strandberg, B. (2001) · Conservation Biology · doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.2001.015004954.x · Cited by 154 · see citing works
Self-citationExperimental evidence for herbivore limitation of the treeline
Speed, J. D. M., Austrheim, G., Hester, A. J., & Mysterud, A. (2010) · Ecology · doi:10.1890/09-2300.1 · Cited by 154 · see citing works
Baptist, F., Yoccoz, N. G., & Choler, P. (2009) · Plant and Soil · doi:10.1007/s11104-009-0119-6 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Soil nitrogen cycling rates in low arctic shrub tundra are enhanced by litter feedbacks
Buckeridge, K. M., Zufelt, E., Chu, H., & Grogan, P. (2009) · Plant and Soil · doi:10.1007/s11104-009-0214-8 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
Self-citationNDVI patterns and phytomass distribution in the circumpolar Arctic
Raynolds, M. K., Walker, D. A., & Maier, H. A. (2006) · Remote Sensing of Environment · doi:10.1016/j.rse.2006.02.016 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Kumpula, T., Pajunen, A., Kaarlejärvi, E., Forbes, B. C., & Stammler, F. (2011) · Global Environmental Change · doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2010.12.010 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Self-citationChu, H., & Grogan, P. (2009) · Plant and Soil · doi:10.1007/s11104-009-0167-y · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Self-citationLantz, T. C., Gergel, S. E., & Henry, G. H. R. (2010) · Journal of Biogeography · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2699.2010.02317.x · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Self-citationSnowmelt energetics at a shrub tundra site in the western Canadian Arctic
Marsh, P., Bartlett, P. A., Mackay, M., Pöhl, S., & Lantz, T. C. (2010) · Hydrological Processes · doi:10.1002/hyp.7786 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Self-citationTundra vegetation effects on pan-Arctic albedo
Loranty, M. M., Goetz, S. J., & Beck, P. S. A. (2011) · Environmental Research Letters · doi:10.1088/1748-9326/6/2/024014 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
Self-citationMyers-Smith, I., Hik, D., Kennedy, C., Cooley, D., Johnstone, J. F., Kenney, A. J., & Krebs, C. J. (2011) · Ambio · doi:10.1007/s13280-011-0168-y · Cited by 126 · see citing works
Self-citationThe nature of spatial transitions in the Arctic
Epstein, H. E., Beringer, J., Gould, W. A., Lloyd, A. H., Thompson, C., Chapin, F. S., Michaelson, G., Ping, C. L., Rupp, T. S., & Walker, D. A. (2004) · Journal of Biogeography · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2699.2004.01140.x · Cited by 121 · see citing works
Self-citationMunier, A., Hermanutz, L. A., Jacobs, J. D., et al. (2010) · Plant Ecology · doi:10.1007/s11258-010-9724-y · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Self-citationCarbon balance of Arctic tundra under increased snow cover mediated by a plant pathogen
Olofsson, J., Ericson, L., Torp, M., Stark, S., & Baxter, R. (2011) · Nature Climate Change · doi:10.1038/nclimate1142 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
Impact of shrub canopies on understorey vegetation in western Eurasian tundra
Pajunen, A., Oksanen, J., & Virtanen, R. (2011) · Journal of Vegetation Science · doi:10.1111/j.1654-1103.2011.01285.x · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Deepened snow increases late thaw biogeochemical pulses in mesic low arctic tundra
Buckeridge, K. M., & Grogan, P. (2010) · Biogeochemistry · doi:10.1007/s10533-010-9426-5 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Self-citationBrubaker, L. B., Garfinkel, H. L., & Edwards, M. E. (1983) · Quaternary Research · doi:10.1016/0033-5894(83)90077-7 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
Lantz, T. C., Gergel, S. E., & Kokelj, S. V. (2010) · Ecosystems · doi:10.1007/s10021-009-9310-0 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
Self-citationGrogan, P., & Jonasson, S. (2006) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2006.01184.x · Cited by 109 · see citing works
Self-citationMuñoz, A. A., Celedón-Neghme, C., Cavieres, L. A., et al. (2004) · Oecologia · doi:10.1007/s00442-004-1780-3 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Ravolainen, V. T., Bråthen, K. A., Ims, R. A., et al. (2011) · Basic and Applied Ecology · doi:10.1016/j.baae.2011.09.009 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Self-citationAnthelme, F., Villaret, J., & Brun, J. (2007) · Journal of Vegetation Science · doi:10.1111/j.1654-1103.2007.tb02547.x · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Developmental Plasticity Allows Betula nana to Dominate Tundra Subjected to an Altered Environment
Bret-Harte, M. S., Shaver, G. R., Zoerner, J. P., et al. (2001) · Ecology · doi:10.2307/2680083 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Artificial drainage and associated carbon fluxes (CO2/CH4) in a tundra ecosystem
Merbold, L., Kutsch, W. L., Corradi, C. A. R., Kolle, O., Corinna Rebmann, Q., Stoy, P. C., Zimov, S. A., & Schulze, E. (2009) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.01962.x · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Dendroecology of dwarf shrubs in the high mountains of Norway – A methodological approach
Bär, A., Bräuning, A., & Löffler, J. (2006) · Dendrochronologia · doi:10.1016/j.dendro.2006.05.001 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Williams, R. J., Wahren, C.-H., Tolsma, A. D., et al. (2008) · International Journal of Wildland Fire · doi:10.1071/wf07154 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Huemmrich, K. F., Gamon, J. A., Tweedie, C. E., Oberbauer, S. F., Kinoshita, G., Houston, S., Kuchy, A., Hollister, R. D., Kwon, H., & Mano, M. (2009) · Remote Sensing of Environment · doi:10.1016/j.rse.2009.10.003 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
DeMarco, J., Mack, M. C., & Bret-Harte, M. S. (2011) · Ecosystems · doi:10.1007/s10021-011-9447-5 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Long- and short-term effects of reindeer grazing on tundra wetland vegetation
Kitti, H., Forbes, B. C., & Oksanen, J. (2008) · Polar Biology · doi:10.1007/s00300-008-0526-9 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Self-citationDial, R. J., Berg, E. E., Timm, K., McMahon, A., & Geck, J. E. (2007) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/2007jg000453 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
Weijers, S., Broekman, R., & Rozema, J. (2010) · Quaternary Science Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2010.09.003 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Self-citationTundra vegetation change near Barrow, Alaska (1972–2010)
Villarreal, S., Hollister, R., Johnson, D., Lara, M., Webber, P., & Tweedie, C. (2012) · Environmental Research Letters · doi:10.1088/1748-9326/7/1/015508 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Reconstructing Century-long Snow Regimes Using Estimates of High Arctic Salix arctica Radial Growth
Schmidt, N. M., Baittinger, C., & Forchhammer, M. C. (2006) · Arctic Antarctic and Alpine Research · doi:10.1657/1523-0430(2006)38[257:rcsrue]2.0.co;2 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Self-citationGrowth limitation of mountain birch caused by sheep browsing at the altitudinal treeline
Speed, J. D. M., Austrheim, G., Hester, A. J., & Mysterud, A. (2011) · Forest Ecology and Management · doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2011.01.017 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Rixen, C., Schwoerer, C., & Wipf, S. (2010) · Polar Research · doi:10.1111/j.1751-8369.2010.00155.x · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Self-citationGrowth and community responses of alpine dwarf shrubs to in situ CO2 enrichment and soil warming
Dawes, M. A., Hagedorn, F., Zumbrunn, T., Handa, I. T., Hättenschwiler, S., Wipf, S., & Rixen, C. (2011) · New Phytologist · doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03722.x · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Self-citationCompetition causes regular spacing of alder in Alaskan shrub tundra
Chapin, F. S., McGraw, J. B., & Shaver, G. R. (1989) · Oecologia · doi:10.1007/bf00384322 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Reindeer herbivory reduces willow growth and grouse forage in a forest-tundra ecotone
den Herder, M., Virtanen, R., & Roininen, H. (2007) · Basic and Applied Ecology · doi:10.1016/j.baae.2007.03.005 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Munier, A., Hermanutz, L. A., Jacobs, J. D., et al. (2014) · Plant Ecology · doi:10.1007/s11258-014-0300-8 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Self-citationSnow-mediated ptarmigan browsing and shrub expansion in arctic Alaska
Tape, K. D., Lord, R., Marshall, H., & Ruess, R. W. (2010) · Ecoscience · doi:10.2980/17-2-3323 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Self-citationSchmidt, N. M., Baittinger, C., Kollmann, J., et al. (2010) · Arctic Antarctic and Alpine Research · doi:10.1657/1938-4246-42.4.471 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Self-citationRayback, S. A., & Henry, G. H. R. (2006) · Arctic Antarctic and Alpine Research · doi:10.1657/1523-0430(2006)38[228:rostfa]2.0.co;2 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Self-citationHofgaard, A., Løkken, J. O., Dalen, L., & Hytteborn, H. (2010) · Plant Ecology & Diversity · doi:10.1080/17550871003717016 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
CLONAL STRUCTURE OF ARCTIC DWARF BIRCH (BETULA GLANDULOSA) AT ITS NORTHERN LIMIT
Hermanutz, L. A., Innes, D. J., & Weis, I. M. (1989) · American Journal of Botany · doi:10.1002/j.1537-2197.1989.tb11370.x · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Self-citationKemper, J. T., & Macdonald, S. E. (2009) · Journal of Vegetation Science · doi:10.1111/j.1654-1103.2009.01069.x · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Vegetation change in Southeast Greenland? Tasiilaq revisited after 40 years
Daniëls, F. J. A., de Molenaar, J. G., Chytrý, M., & Tichý, L. (2010) · Applied Vegetation Science · doi:10.1111/j.1654-109x.2010.01107.x · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Rozema, J., Weijers, S., Broekman, R., et al. (2009) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.01858.x · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Self-citationShrub Cover on the North Slope of Alaska: a circa 2000 Baseline Map
Beck, P. S. A., Horning, N., Goetz, S. J., Loranty, M. M., & Tape, K. D. (2011) · Arctic Antarctic and Alpine Research · doi:10.1657/1938-4246-43.3.355 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Self-citationJohnstone, J. F., & Kokelj, S. V. (2009) · ARCTIC · doi:10.14430/arctic35 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Tundra vegetation effects on pan-Arctic albedo
Loranty, M. M., Goetz, S. J., & Beck, P. S. A. (2011) · Environmental Research Letters · doi:10.1088/1748-9326/6/2/029601 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Self-citationMeasurements and modelling of snowmelt and turbulent heat fluxes over shrub tundra
Bewley, D., Essery, R., Pomeroy, J. W., et al. (2010) · Hydrology and earth system sciences · doi:10.5194/hess-14-1331-2010 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Tremblay, G., & Boudreau, S. (2011) · Canadian Journal of Forest Research · doi:10.1139/x10-183 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Self-citationScherrer, P., & Pickering, C. M. (2005) · Arctic Antarctic and Alpine Research · doi:10.1657/1523-0430(2005)037[0574:roavfg]2.0.co;2 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
McDougall, K. L. (2003) · Australian Journal of Botany · doi:10.1071/bt02079 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Hallinger, M., & Wilmking, M. (2011) · New Phytologist · doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2010.03624.x · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Self-citationWeis, I. M., & Hermanutz, L. A. (1993) · American Journal of Botany · doi:10.1002/j.1537-2197.1993.tb15329.x · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Self-citationClimate Change Influences on Species Interrelationships and Distributions in High-Arctic Greenland
Klein, D. R., Bruun, H. H., Lundgren, R., et al. (2008) · Advances in ecological research/Advances in Ecological Research · doi:10.1016/s0065-2504(07)00004-9 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
McDougall, K. L., Brookhouse, M. T., & Broome, L. (2011) · Dendrochronologia · doi:10.1016/j.dendro.2011.01.011 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
A Century (1910–2008) of Change in a Collapsing Pingo, Parry Peninsula, Western Arctic Coast, Canada
Mackay, J., & Burn, C. R. (2011) · Permafrost and Periglacial Processes · doi:10.1002/ppp.723 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Shrub encroachment in arctic and alpine tundra: Patterns of expansion and ecosystem impacts.
Myers‐Smith, I. H. (2011) · ERA: Education and Research Archive (University of Alberta) · doi:10.7939/r33k79 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Self-citationClonal Structure of Arctic Dwarf Birch (Betula glandulosa) at its Northern Limit
Hermanutz, L. A., Innes, D. J., & Weis, I. M. (1989) · American Journal of Botany · doi:10.2307/2444422 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Self-citationSpatial Variability of the Dominant Climate Signal in Cassiope tetragona from Sites in Arctic Canada
Rayback, S. A., Lini, A., & Henry, G. H. R. (2011) · ARCTIC · doi:10.14430/arctic4083 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Self-citationLantz, T. C. (2008) · cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · doi:10.14288/1.0066494 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Self-citationTremblay, J. (2010) · Le dépôt institutionnel (Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières) · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Vankoughnett, M. R. (2009) · QSpace (Queen's University Library) · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Weis, I. M., & Hermanutz, L. A. (1993) · American Journal of Botany · doi:10.2307/2445749 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Self-citationUpshall, M. (2012) · Memorial University Research Repository (Memorial University) · Cited by 6 · see citing works
(2010) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.48-2100 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
"Alaska Trees and Shrubs. Second Edition" by L. Viereck and E. L. Little. 2007. [book review]
Huettmann, F. (2006) · The Canadian Field-Naturalist · doi:10.22621/cfn.v120i4.376 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Quesada (2001) · doi:10.1175/1520-0442(2001)014
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- ACIA 2005 Arctic Climate Impact Assessment-Scientific Report (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Advances in animal ecology from 3D-LiDAR ecosystem mapping
Davies, A. B., & Asner, G. P. (2014) · Trends in Ecology & Evolution · doi:10.1016/j.tree.2014.10.005 · Cited by 379 · see citing works
Status and trends in Arctic vegetation: Evidence from experimental warming and long-term monitoring
Bjorkman, A. D., García Criado, M., Myers-Smith, I. H., Ravolainen, V., Jónsdóttir, I. S., Westergaard, K. B., Lawler, J. P., Aronsson, M., Bennett, B., Gardfjell, H., et al. (2020) · Ambio · doi:10.1007/s13280-019-01161-6 · Cited by 230 · see citing works
Self-citationMuskox status, recent variation, and uncertain future
Cuyler, C., Rowell, J., Adamczewski, J., Anderson, M., Blake, J., Bretten, T., Brodeur, V., Campbell, M., Checkley, S. L., Cluff, H. D., et al. (2020) · Ambio · doi:10.1007/s13280-019-01205-x · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Self-citationThe changing face of the Arctic: four decades of greening and implications for tundra ecosystems
Frost, G. V., Bhatt, U. S., Macander, M. J., Berner, L. T., Walker, D. A., Raynolds, M. K., Magnússon, R. Í., Bartsch, A., Bjerke, J. W., Epstein, H. E., et al. (2025) · Frontiers in Environmental Science · doi:10.3389/fenvs.2025.1525574 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Self-citationArctic shrubification mediates the impacts of warming climate on changes to tundra vegetation
Mod, H. K., & Luoto, M. (2016) · Environmental Research Letters · doi:10.1088/1748-9326/11/12/124028 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Long-term patterns of muskox (Ovibos moschatus) demographics in high arctic Greenland
Schmidt, N. M., Pedersen, S. H., Mosbacher, J. B., & Hansen, L. H. (2015) · Polar Biology · doi:10.1007/s00300-015-1733-9 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Self-citation
- Authors
- Myers-Smith, I. H., Forbes, B. C., Wilmking, M., Hallinger, M., Lantz, T., Blok, D., Tape, K. D., Macias-Fauria, M., Sass-Klaassen, U., Lévesque, E., Boudreau, S., Ropars, P., Hermanutz, L., Trant, A., Collier, L. S., Weijers, S., Rozema, J., Rayback, S. A., Schmidt, N. M., Schaepman-Strub, G., Wipf, S., Rixen, C., Ménard, C. B., Venn, S., Goetz, S., Andreu-Hayles, L., Elmendorf, S., Ravolainen, V., Welker, J., Grogan, P., Epstein, H. E., & Hik, D. S.
- Affiliations
- University of Lapland (FI)
- Universität Greifswald (DE)
- University of Victoria (CA)
- Wageningen University & Research (NL)
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (US)
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (CA)
- Center for Northern Studies (CA)
- Memorial University of Newfoundland (CA)
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
- University of Vermont (US)
- Aarhus University (DK)
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (CH)
- University of Edinburgh (GB)
- La Trobe University (AU)
- Woodwell Climate Research Center (US)
- University of British Columbia (CA)
- UiT The Arctic University of Norway (NO)
- University of Alaska Anchorage (US)
- Queen's University (CA)
- University of Virginia (US)
- University of Alberta (CA)
- ORCID
- Forbes, Bruce C
- Wilmking, Martin
- Hallinger, Martin
- Lantz, Trevor
- Blok, Daan
- Tape, Ken D
- Lévesque, Esther
- Boudreau, Stéphane
- Ropars, Pascale
- Hermanutz, Luise
- Trant, Andrew
- Collier, Laura Siegwart
- Weijers, Stef
- Rozema, Jelte
- Rayback, Shelly A
- Schmidt, Niels Martin
- Wipf, Sonja
- Rixen, Christian
- Ménard, Cécile B
- Venn, Susanna
- Goetz, Scott
- Elmendorf, Sarah
- Ravolainen, Virve
- Welker, Jeffrey
- Grogan, Paul
- Epstein, Howard E
- Hik, David S
- Venue
- Environmental Research Letters
- Publisher
- IOP Publishing
- Published
- 2011-12-01
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 045509
- ISSN
- 1748-9326 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2100636547
- Cited by
- 1,485
- References
- 150
- Citations by year
- 2026: 64 · 2025: 108 · 2024: 86 · 2023: 117 · 2022: 139 · 2021: 177 · 2020: 122 · 2019: 109 · 2018: 128 · 2017: 105 · 2016: 92 · 2015: 90 · 2014: 77 · 2013: 52 · 2012: 17
- FWCI
- 28.06
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Environmental Research Letters (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- LaCRIS (University of Lapland) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
- Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (acceptedVersion)
- DORA WSL (Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- Edinburgh Research Explorer (University of Edinburgh) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Lund University Publications (Lund University) (submittedVersion)
- NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- ANU Open Research (Australian National University) (submittedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich)
- Funders
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Climate change and permafrost
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Polar Research and Ecology
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Indigenous Studies and Ecology
- Keywords
- shrub expansion, tundra ecosystems, Arctic tundra, alpine tundra, global warming, permafrost thaw, snow cover, tundra fire, herbivory, shrub recruitment, climate feedbacks, carbon and nutrient cycling, energy flux
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review