Alpine ecosystems are a harsh environment with little nutrients and the abiotic effect that the soil has on the plant community is relatively unknown. The focus of this study is to illuminate the role that soils play in the plant diversity of alpine wet meadows. In doing so we investigated the function of clay and root content, organic matter, pH and soil moisture in determining plant diversity in three meadows in the White Mountains, California. We found that water may key role in plant diversity and richness both among and within meadows. Other abiotic properties of soil had no effect on species diversity and richness. These findings have many implications in the further study of erosion and nutrient dynamics in mountainous and alpine ecosystems.

CEC Research Volume 2, Issue 2