| Abstract: | Local landforms and microtopography control site conditions, spatial patterns, and dynamics in treeline landscapes. Several topography-related treeline types are presented and their responses to a warming climate discussed. On rugged mountain terrain, pronounced changes in vertical range and variety of treeline landscapes will not take place as long as debris slides and avalanches occur regularly. On intensively eroded steep terrain, trees will mainly colonize convexities. On trough shoulders and similar gentle topography with irregular mosaics of convex and concave landforms, tree establishment is most likely to take place on convex topography. On gentle slopes and rolling uplands, where the proportion of wind-swept terrain is comparatively large, microsite facilitation appears to be a precondition for tree establishment. At higher elevations, the relative importance of shelter-providing landforms will increase due to windier conditions. At the beginning of treeline rise, seedling establishment, growth, and survival are closely related to local landforms and microtopography and their effects on site conditions. Later, the feedback from trees on their environment may overrule the effects of landforms. |
