Induction of vertical zones in sub-alpine valley forests by avalanche-formed fuel breaks

Abstract

Vertical zonation of forests in high mountains is normally explained in terms of climatic variation, but avalanche tracks can act as fuel-breaks in southern Alberta Rocky Mountain forests. This is an additional way of explaining the spruce-fir (Picea engelmannii (Parry) Engelm. - Abies lascioparpa (Hook.) Nutt.) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Wats.) communities of the upper and lower sub-alpine zones. The hypotheses are that: 1) Fires start more often at lower than high altitude and that, as they spread into high valleys, 2) they are halted where avalanche tracks reach the valley bottom from both slopes. Also, (3) the average return interval of fires will be greater above this “avalanche block”, and 4) vegetation above the block will consist primarily of near-climax, fire-intolerant communities. These hypotheses were tested using the Highwood Pass (50 °21′ N, 114 °26′W) in the Rocky Mountains of southern Alberta, Canada. Maps of avalanche tracks and past fires, a point-centered quarter survey of forest stands, and disturbance histories established by increment coring were used to test the hypotheses which were all upheld. Thus avalanche tracks are one of the complex of factors limiting fires in the sub-alpine zone of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. The results, additionally, imply that vertical vegetation zones in temperate high mountains are influenced, not only by climatic factors, but also by avalanches and other landforms.