Plant communities mediate climate effects on active layer depth

This study will investigate the influence of plant communities dominated by vascular plants vs moss-dominated communities under different climate regimes. As yet we know very little about insulation capacity in these contrasting plant communities. Furthermore, we also do not know which vegetation traits might be important in insulating permafrost. I will make use of a climate transect in Svalbard where both temperature and precipitation differ. In both plant community types, soil temperature, soil moisture and active layer depth will be measured. Furthermore, I will assess plant community composition as well as easily measurable plant traits which might play an important role in insulating permafrost.