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Flora and Vegetation of Tasiilaq, Formerly Angmagssalik, Southeast Greenland: A Comparison of Data Between Around 1900 and 2007

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Abstract

The changes in the vascular plant flora of Tasiilaq, low arctic Southeast Greenland, between around 1900 and 2007 were studied by comparing the data from historical literature with those of the field observations performed between the late 1960s and 2007. Since 1900, the percentage of widely distributed arctic species distinctly decreased, whereas that of the low arctic species somewhat increased, and boreal species hardly increased. Vegetation monitoring revealed minor changes and showed that several thermophilous and xerophilous species increased between 1968/1969 and 2007, whereas some hygrophilous species decreased. Repeated vegetation mapping of a shallow pond revealed conspicuous changes suggesting increased evaporation/precipitation ratios associated with environmental warming up and decreasing snow accumulation in winter, in line with results of previous investigations. In spite of climate warming, expansion of the town and increasing human impact, flora and vegetation on the whole appeared rather stable during the last 40 years without invading species or introductions.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Ortrun Lepping and Martina Fasel for providing technical assistance; Milan Chytry and Lubomir Tichy, Brno, for statistical support; and Hordur Kristinsson, Akureyri and Helga Bültmann, Münster for scientific advice. Thanks are due to the reviewers for their suggetions for improvements in the manuscript. The study was made possible by financial support of the German Research Foundation (DFG) to F.D and J.M (Da 314/12-1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biology and Biotechnology of Plants, Hindenburgplatz 55, 48143, Münster, Germany

    Fred J. A. Daniëls

  2. Gruttostraat 24, 4021 EX, Maurik, The Netherlands

    Johannes G. de Molenaar

  3. Formerly Alterra, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Johannes G. de Molenaar

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  1. Fred J. A. Daniëls
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Correspondence to Fred J. A. Daniëls.

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Daniëls, F.J.A., de Molenaar, J.G. Flora and Vegetation of Tasiilaq, Formerly Angmagssalik, Southeast Greenland: A Comparison of Data Between Around 1900 and 2007. AMBIO 40, 650–659 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-011-0171-3

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