TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

ARCTIC TREE LINE [1 record]

Record 1 2023-03-11

English

Subject field(s)
  • Polar Geography
  • Silviculture
DEF

The northern limit of tree growth; the sinuous boundary between tundra and boreal forest; taken by many to delineate the actual southern boundary of the Arctic Zone.

CONT

The northern treeline represents an abrupt change in surface characteristics and microclimate, from the high leaf area index, tall, deeply rooting boreal forest to the low leaf area index, shallow rooting and short stature of tundra grasses and shrubs.

CONT

The northern treeline is generally controlled by a temperature deficit, often modified by local conditions (such as permafrost occurrence). Recent studies however, identified a shift from temperature to moisture control in many places (such as Alaska), non-linear relationships between climate and tree growth, sub-population behaviour at northern treeline and the "divergence effect" (an underestimation of recent warming trends by tree ring based proxies).

OBS

arctic treeline: term used at Natural Resources Canada - Earth Sciences Sector.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Géographie du froid
  • Sylviculture
DEF

Limite [...] au-delà de laquelle aucun arbre ne pousse.

CONT

Depuis 3 500 ans BP, la limite septentrionale des arbres est demeurée stable dans tout l'hémisphère nord.

OBS

Plus de 80 % de la superficie du Canada située au sud de la limite septentrionale des arbres est boisée.

OBS

limite septentrionale des arbres : Source : Rapport sur l'état de forêts 1998-1999.

OBS

limite septentrionale des arbres : terme en usage à Ressources naturelles Canada - Secteur des sciences de la Terre.

Spanish

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