The landscape age map shows the length of time (in thousands of years) that Arctic landscapes have been available for plant colonization and the development of plant communities (Raynolds et al 2008). For most areas, this would be the time since the most recent deglaciation. Other areas first became available for plant colonization after emerging from under water due to drainage of glacial lakes or isostatic rebound. Areas for which no Wisconsin glaciation is known, were coded as 9999.These data came mostly from Ehlers, J. and P. L. Gibbard (eds., 2004). The map was based on the Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map (CAVM Team 2003) shapefile, with an attribute added for landscape age. Polygon boundaries were modified where necessary to follow glaciation data.
Back to Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map
Go to Website Link :: Toolik Arctic Geobotanical Atlas below for details on legend units, photos of map units and plant species, glossary, bibliography and links to ground data.
Map Themes:
AVHRR Biomass 2010, AVHRR Biomass Trend 1982-2010, AVHRR False Color-Infrared 1993-1995, AVHRR NDVI 1993-1995, AVHRR NDVI Trend 1982-2010, AVHRR Summer Warmth Index 1982-2003, Bioclimate Subzone, Coastline and Treeline, Elevation, Floristic Provinces, Lake Cover, Landscape Physiography, Landscape Age, Substrate Chemistry, Vegetation Layer
References
Elvebakk, A. 1999. Bioclimate delimitation and subdivisions of the Arctic. Pages 81-112 in I. Nordal and V. Y. Razzhivin, editors. The Species Concept in the High North - A Panarctic Flora Initiative. The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, Oslo.
Yurtsev, B. A. 1994. Floristic divisions of the Arctic. Journal of Vegetation Science 5:765-776.
