Phenological and growth responses of Papaver radicatum along altitudinal gradients in the Canadian High Arctic

Phenology and growth of Papaver radicatum Rottb. was monitored over four summers (1990-1993) at 12 sites, along a dolomitic and a granitic altitudinal gradient (330 m a.s.l.-770 m a.s.l.) at Sverdrup Pass, central Ellesmere Island, Canada. The gradients provided substantial differences in environmental characteristics. Three of the four seasons (1990, 1991 and 1993) had more than 400 thawing degree-days (TDD) in the valley, while the 1992 season had less than 300. The granitic sites had consistently higher temperatures than the dolomitic sites, despite their northerly aspect. Increasing elevation reduced total degree-day accumulation (c. 40 degree-days/100 m) and length of potential growing season. The proportion of the population producing flower buds was similar at all sites in any given year, but there were differences among years. Production of flowers and fruits per site, decreased with altitude along the dolomitic gradient in 1991 and 1992. There was no difference in the number of buds or flowers produced per plant with increasing altitude, although larger plants with multiple flowers were found only on low elevation granitic sites. Plants from the dolomitic sites were smaller and flowered, on average, after the site accumulated 150 degree-days, while plants on the granitic sites were larger and bloomed after 200 degree-days. Papaver is able to grow and reproduce over a wide range of environmental conditions and moderate climate warming would likely promote its growth and establishment, unless other factors, especially snow-free periods and water availability, become limiting.