Polar Biology

, Volume 33, Issue 4, pp 565–570 | Cite as

Baidzharakhs (relic mounds) increase plant community diversity by interrupting zonal vegetation distribution along the Arctic Sea, northern Siberia

Short Communication
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Abstract

To understand how baidzharakhs (relic mounds enclosing polygonal ice blocks in permafrost) affect the zonal distribution of vegetation, vegetation was measured in 145 plots of area 50 cm × 50 cm on a coastal terrace facing the Arctic Ocean in northern Siberia. Cluster analysis classified five community types that were zonally distributed along the coastline. α-diversities (species richness and diversity) were not different among vegetation types except for vegetation close to the coastline. On and around baidzharakhs, burrows created by lemmings were frequently observed, and plant cover was low, suggesting that baidzharakhs support habitats for rodents. Disturbances by rodent habits caused plant cover to decline but did not change α-diversity. Two vegetation types that developed only on baidzharakhs were found at intermediate distances between the seacoast and inland areas. Because these two vegetation types are azonally distributed, β- and γ-diversities were increased by permafrost-derived topography, i.e., baidzharakh, and/or disturbance by rodents of which suitable nesting habitat is provided by baidzharakh.

Keywords

Baidzharakhs Northern Siberia Permafrost Topography Rodent burrow 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. S.A. Zimov and Mr. S. Alexey for field assistance. This work is partly supported by grants from JSPS. We also thank Drs. D. Piepenburg, B. Phillip, and an anonymous reviewer for critical reading of the manuscript.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  • Shiro Tsuyuzaki
    • 1
    • 2
  • Nobusyoshi Sento
    • 3
    • 4
  • Masami Fukuda
    • 3
    • 5
  1. 1.Graduate School of Science and TechnologyNiigata UniversityNiigataJapan
  2. 2.Graduate School of Environmental Earth ScienceHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
  3. 3.Institute of Low Temperature ScienceHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
  4. 4.House Cleaning CosmosMusashinoJapan
  5. 5.International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska FairbanksFairbanksUSA

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