Natural variation in snow depth and snow melt timing in the High Arctic have implications for soil and plant nutrient status and vegetation composition

Snow cover is a key component in Arctic ecosystems and will likely be affected by changes winter precipitation. Increased snow depth consequent later snowmelt leads to greater microbial mineralization winter, improving soil vegetation nutrient status. We studied areas with naturally differing depths date of Adventdalen, Svalbard. Soil properties, plant leaf status, species composition along the normalized difference index (NDVI) were compared for three regimes (Early, Mid, Late). showed that (1) Late (snow beds) had wetter soils, higher pH, leaves Bistorta vivipara (L.) Delarbre Salix polaris Wahlenb. concentration nutrients (nitrogen δ 15 N). Little no was found concentrations between regimes. (2) highest NDVI values, whereas those Early Mid similar. (3) Vegetation differed regimes, Dryas octopetala L. Luzula arcuata subsp. confusa (Lange) characterizing former Equisetum arvense Eriophorum scheuchzeri Hoppe latter. (4) Trends contents similar nearby manipulation experiment. distribution time played an important role determining regional environmental heterogeneity, patchiness community distribution, their composition, phenology.