Study Area
Figure 3. Kluane research area, showing Pika Camp location
The Pika Camp study area is located in the Ruby Ranges, Yukon Territory, at 61°12’N and 138°16’W, just to the east of Kluane Lake (Figure 3). The elevation of the area ranges from 1800m to 2000m. This area is east of Kluane National Park and the St Elias mountain range.
Figure 4. Pika Camp, showing talus patches
The overall study area is 4km x 4 km in size and is naturally divided by topography into north, west and east sub-areas (Figure4). The talus patches monitored for this study are from the west and east sub-areas and are identified in Figure 4 by a code that indicates the sub-area (W or E) and site location. These patches range in size from 0.13 ha - 10.0 ha.
Talus patches are separated by meadows of alpine tundra vegetation, dominated by Dryas octopetala, Salix reticulata, graminoid species and lichens. The snow-free growing season is approximately 10 weeks from mid-June to the end of August, but the timing is highly variable.
The photo below gives some idea of the topography and ground cover for the study area. This photo shows patch EGH in the upper right of the photo, with the camp in the lower left.
Talus patches are separated by meadows of alpine tundra vegetation, dominated by Dryas octopetala, Salix reticulata, graminoid species and lichens. The snow-free growing season is approximately 10 weeks from mid-June to the end of August, but the timing is highly variable.
The photo below gives some idea of the topography and ground cover for the study area. This photo shows patch EGH in the upper right of the photo, with the camp in the lower left.
Pika Camp, looking NE, showing campsite and adjacent talus patches
