Líffræðifélag Íslands
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2015
Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster V21
Ágústa Helgadóttir (1,2,3), Kristín Svavarsdóttir (3), Rannveig Guicharnaud (4), Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdóttir (1,2)
1. University of Iceland, 2. University Centre in Svalbard, 3. Soil Conservation Service of Iceland, 4. Resource and Climate Consultancy
Kynnir / Presenter: Ágústa Helgadóttir
Tengiliður / Corresponding author: Ágústa Helgadóttir (agh3@hi.is)
Bryophytes (mosses) are an important component of many ecosystems of the subarctic tundra in Iceland. In ecological restoration mosses have been shown to be a critical factor in primary succession by stabilizing the soil structure and preventing further soil erosion. At later stages, the depth of the moss cover may affect the ecosystem functioning. To improve our understanding on the role of mosses in ecosystem functioning we ask how moss cover affects selected soil properties and soil development in a 30 years old restored ecosystem. We examined relationships between moss depth and selected soil properties in 30 plots (30x30 cm) at a relatively dry 30 years old restoration site in the highlands of Iceland (dominant moss sp. Sanonia uncinata, 65°N, 530 m elevation). Eroded land with no moss was used as a comparison site to illustrate soil conditions prior to restoration interventions and a nearby intact heathland was used as a reference site (dominant moss sp. Racomitrium lanuginosum). With increasing moss cover the soil temperature decreased and daily temperature fluctuations were reduced. Soil moisture increased with moss depth and soil microbial biomass carbon increased with increased moisture. The results show that the moss cover plays an important and complex role in ecosystem restoration. It acts as an insulator for soil temperature and retains moisture, which is a key factor in ecosystem processes in harsh environment such as the studied subarctic tundra.