A Dendrochronological Study of the Easton Foreland: Recession, Incipient Soils, and Developing Forests, Mount Baker WA

Keywords: glacier recession, dendrochrology, succession, incipient soil
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

Alpine ecosystems are being increasingly impacted by changing climate conditions. As glaciers recede, previously glaciated surfaces are exposed and shaped by soil development and vegetation succession. As time since deglaciation continues, insipient soil development provides the basis for pioneering species and subsequent successional plant life. Understanding the relationship between glacier recession, soil development, and vegetation succession will provide information for predicting future conditions in alpine environments. Historic terminal moraines in the lower Easton Glacier foreland will be located using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDaR) methods. At each terminus, a sample site will be established wherein ten tree cores will be sampled using an increment borer. These samples will be analyzed in the laboratory and ArcGIS Pro will be used to establish a glacial terminus chronology. At each site, samples of topsoil and soil at half meter depth will be taken. Soil samples will be analyzed in the laboratory to measure carbon and nitrogen concentrations, as well as the C/N ratio, to establish a soil development chronology of the foreland. A statistical analysis of these data will be performed to identify the relationship between soil development and time. This relationship will be ground-truthed by taking soil samples at terminal moraines identified in the upper foreland to identify any statistical relationship. This research will refine the historic terminus point of the Easton glacier prior to the mid-1800s as well as calculate a temporal rate of soil development at previous terminus locations to analyze the foreland’s response to deglaciation.