The contemporary moss assemblages of a high arctic upland, northern Ellesmere Island, N.W.T., Canada

Abstract

A quantitative analysis of contemporary moss assemblages is presented for a fault block at the southern end of Piper Pass, northern Ellesmere Island, N.W.T. (82°12′N, 68°31′W). Twenty-eight stands are analyzed using the two-way indicator species analysis, resulting in seven major species groups and five major stand groups. Physical parameters correlated with the stand data show soil moisture and slope to be the most important factors influencing the distribution of moss assemblages. Sodium, organic content, and specific conductivity are also correlated with the vegetation data. Detrended correspondence analysis confirms these stand relationships. The interdependence of physical, chemical, and vegetation data is also discussed. Distribution patterns of the species groups within the stand groups are analyzed by means of a percent frequency diagram. A direct gradient analysis of the vegetation below a late-lying snowbank also demonstrates the selective distribution of species in terms of environmental gradients.