ECOSHRUB

Climate change is causing vegetation shifts in arctic and alpine ecosystems. These changes will affect our ecosystems including all plants and animals and ourselves. One of the first major changes observed is shrub encroachment of the alpine and arctic tundra; a process that is further thought to relate to changes in grazing pressures.

Researchers walking in vegetation. Photo — The alpine tundra under shrub encroachment. Photo: Benjamin Blonder

In ECOSHRUB we study the effects of shrub encroachment on vegetation dynamics and the resulting effects on carbon budgets and albedo for alpine tundra. Nine universities and one research institute has joined forces to study the complex processes through experiments in the Central Norwegian Dovrefjell (Dovre Mountains).

Group photo of the field workers — A bunch of tanned field workers posing outside Villreinsenteret in Dovre Mountains where we were accommodated part of the season. From top left: Christian, Mia, Karl-Andreas, Kristin, Simen, Øystein Opedal, From bottom left: Rozalia, Håkon, Simone, Øystein. Photo: Håkon Holien

Currently three sub-projects are in progress

Vegetation
Carbon
Albedo

Funding achieved from:
The Norwegian Research Council (Klimaforsk 23060/E10), Nansenfondet, I.K. Lykkes Fond, and Peder Sather grant program.

For further information contact Bente Graae or Richard Strimbeck

ECOSHRUB slideshow

Sheep is an abundant herbivore in the alpine tundra in Central Norway. Photo: Mia Vedel Sørensen
Salix glauca, one of the abundant shrubs in the alpine and arctic tundra. Photo: Mia Vedel Sørensen
Autumn colors on Amodshøkollen, Dovre Mountains. Photo: Mia Vedel Sørensen