Regional and local climatology of a subarctic alpine treeline, Mealy Mountains, Labrador

Chan, Sarah (2010) Regional and local climatology of a subarctic alpine treeline, Mealy Mountains, Labrador. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

This thesis investigates climatological aspects of a subarctic alpine treeline site in the Mealy Mountains, Labrador. The first of two manuscripts looks at a method of regional climate modeling (statistical downscaling) to produce temperature scenarios for the future and to assess the applicability of large-scale models (global climate models) for regions of complex topography. Both the GCM and statistically downscaled models predict warming for the study site, especially for winter months. However, the output of GCMs was determined to not capture the local climatic influences of this region, and thus produces scenarios that smooth over the signal of future climate change. The second manuscript produces a descriptive climatology of the study site and also investigates the relationship of the treeline with the climate. It was determined that the current climate regime of the Mealy Mountains is not a limiting factor to tree growth beyond its current elevation; however, recent changes and future climate predictions may encourage the recruitment and establishment of spruce trees above their current position.

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