The Vertical Distribution of Live Vascular Phytomass in Cottongrass Tussock Tundra

Abstract

The vertical distribution of living vascular phytomass was determined for 3 tussock tundra sites. Total belowground:aboveground phytomass ratios were lower than those usually reported for wet-to-moist tundras. Ratios for individual species ranged from 0.50 .+-. 0.40 for Eriophorum vaginatum to 12.11 .+-. 4.06 for Rubus chamaemorus. Most of the live phytomass was concentrated in the relatively undecomposed layer of dead material in the upper few centimeters of soil. Each of the dominant species could be characterized by a different combination of belowground:aboveground phytomass ratio, rooting depth and leaf or root turnover rate.