DOI: 10.6073/pasta/6111bd3f0bafcf12b67f68644f14b5f5
title: Shrub influence on soil moisture, nutrients, temperature and species composition, 2019 - 2020.

description: Shrubification, the expansion and densification of shrubs, is
 occurring in arctic and alpine zones across the globe (Myers-Smith
 et al., 2011)⁠. This alteration is primarily driven by warming
 temperatures (Elmendorf et al., 2012b, 2012a)⁠, and can have major
 consequences for the existing vegetation (Anthelme et al., 2007;
 Pajunen et al., 2011; Venn et al., 2014)⁠ and for nutrient pools
 (Sturm et al., 2005; DeMarco et al., 2014)⁠ due to the abiotic and
 biotic effects of shrubs. Shrubs accumulate snow which insulates the
 ground during the winter and provides more moisture later in the
 season (Liston et al., 2002)⁠. During the summer, shrubs provide
 shade and wind protection. Additionally, shrubs can increase the
 soil nitrogen (N) pool through their high input of plant material
 into the soil (DeMarco et al., 2014). These small-scale climatic and
 soil alterations have important consequences for plant community
 dynamics in the arctic and alpine.
 
 
 References:
 
 
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