Topographic Shelter and Conifer Establishment and Mortality in an Alpine Environment, Glacier National Park, Montana

Abstract

We examined the importance of periglacial shelter in the spatial distribution of conifers at and above alpine treeline. Using a detailed field-based method, we sampled a total of 211 conifer patches at three study locations in Glacier National Park (GNP), Montana. Conifers were found to be nonrandom spatial associates of three periglacial shelter types: boulders, terrace risers, and combination shelters. Our results indicate that conifer establishment and survival in this extreme mountain environment is connected to shelter availability and shelter type.