Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 316-325 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of tropical ecology |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2018 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
To investigate changes in vegetation and climate with altitude, we established forest plots and recorded climatic data at 100-m intervals between 550-1100 m asl on the western slopes of Mount Batilamu, Mount Koroyanitu range, Viti Levu, Fiji. Trees with a dbh ≥10 cm were identified and measured in 21 10 × 10-m plots, starting at 750 m altitude. Temperature and relative humidity sensors were deployed in two habitats, leaf litter and 50 cm above the ground, and two vegetation types, grasslands and forest, at six altitudes over a 48-h period. Two significantly distinct forest types, lowland and montane, were present. Montane forest was found at higher elevations (>950 m asl) and had significantly higher stem density. Mean temperature decreased significantly with altitude and was strongly moderated by vegetation type (lower average and less variation in forest). While average relative humidity significantly increased with altitude, it was strongly moderated by both habitat and vegetation type (higher average and less variation in leaf litter and forest). The lapse rate varied with time of day (higher during the day) and vegetation type (higher in grasslands). Therefore, vegetation and microhabitats create unique microclimates, and this should be considered when investigating current or future climatic patterns along altitudinal gradients on forested mountains.
Keywords
- altitudinal gradient, endemism, lowland rain forest, microclimate, montane forest, Mount Koroyanitu National Heritage Park, relative humidity, South Pacific, temperature, tropical oceanic island
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
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In: Journal of tropical ecology, Vol. 34, No. 5, 01.09.2018, p. 316-325.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Changes in climate and vegetation with altitude on Mount Batilamu, Viti Levu, Fiji
AU - Anderson, Jacynta
AU - Keppel, Gunnar
AU - Thomson, Sophie Min
AU - Randell, Anthony
AU - Raituva, Jone
AU - Koroi, Iliesa
AU - Anisi, Ramokasa
AU - Charlson, Tanya
AU - Boehmer, Hans Juergen
AU - Kleindorfer, Sonia
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © Cambridge University Press 2018.
PY - 2018/9/1
Y1 - 2018/9/1
N2 - To investigate changes in vegetation and climate with altitude, we established forest plots and recorded climatic data at 100-m intervals between 550-1100 m asl on the western slopes of Mount Batilamu, Mount Koroyanitu range, Viti Levu, Fiji. Trees with a dbh ≥10 cm were identified and measured in 21 10 × 10-m plots, starting at 750 m altitude. Temperature and relative humidity sensors were deployed in two habitats, leaf litter and 50 cm above the ground, and two vegetation types, grasslands and forest, at six altitudes over a 48-h period. Two significantly distinct forest types, lowland and montane, were present. Montane forest was found at higher elevations (>950 m asl) and had significantly higher stem density. Mean temperature decreased significantly with altitude and was strongly moderated by vegetation type (lower average and less variation in forest). While average relative humidity significantly increased with altitude, it was strongly moderated by both habitat and vegetation type (higher average and less variation in leaf litter and forest). The lapse rate varied with time of day (higher during the day) and vegetation type (higher in grasslands). Therefore, vegetation and microhabitats create unique microclimates, and this should be considered when investigating current or future climatic patterns along altitudinal gradients on forested mountains.
AB - To investigate changes in vegetation and climate with altitude, we established forest plots and recorded climatic data at 100-m intervals between 550-1100 m asl on the western slopes of Mount Batilamu, Mount Koroyanitu range, Viti Levu, Fiji. Trees with a dbh ≥10 cm were identified and measured in 21 10 × 10-m plots, starting at 750 m altitude. Temperature and relative humidity sensors were deployed in two habitats, leaf litter and 50 cm above the ground, and two vegetation types, grasslands and forest, at six altitudes over a 48-h period. Two significantly distinct forest types, lowland and montane, were present. Montane forest was found at higher elevations (>950 m asl) and had significantly higher stem density. Mean temperature decreased significantly with altitude and was strongly moderated by vegetation type (lower average and less variation in forest). While average relative humidity significantly increased with altitude, it was strongly moderated by both habitat and vegetation type (higher average and less variation in leaf litter and forest). The lapse rate varied with time of day (higher during the day) and vegetation type (higher in grasslands). Therefore, vegetation and microhabitats create unique microclimates, and this should be considered when investigating current or future climatic patterns along altitudinal gradients on forested mountains.
KW - altitudinal gradient
KW - endemism
KW - lowland rain forest
KW - microclimate
KW - montane forest
KW - Mount Koroyanitu National Heritage Park
KW - relative humidity
KW - South Pacific
KW - temperature
KW - tropical oceanic island
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85053340074&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/s0266467418000299
DO - 10.1017/s0266467418000299
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85053340074
VL - 34
SP - 316
EP - 325
JO - Journal of tropical ecology
JF - Journal of tropical ecology
SN - 0266-4674
IS - 5
ER -