Spatial patterns of primary productivity in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Abstract

Landscapes are often heterogeneous in abiotic factors such as topography, climate, and soil, yet little is known about how these factors may influence the spatial distribution of primary productivity. We report estimates of aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) in 90 sample stands stratified by cover type and elevation class, and use the results to predict ANPP across a portion of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Tree ANPP was estimated by sampling tree density by species and diameter classes and estimating average annual diameter increment by tree coring. Biomass for current tree diameter and past tree diameter were calculated by species and diameter class for each stand using the dimension analysis software BIOPAK. Shrub ANPP was estimated by calculating current biomass from basal area using BIOPAK and dividing by the assumed average life span of the shrubs. Clipping at the end of the growing season was used to estimate herb ANPP. Differences in ANPP among cover types and elevation classes were examined with analysis of variance. Multiple regression was used to examine relationships between ANPP, and soil parent material, topography, and cover type. The best regression model was used to predict ANPP across the study area.