The influence of wind on treeline position - the question of summit syndrome

Title: The influence of wind on treeline position - the question of summit syndrome Author: Jakub Kašpar Department: Department of Physical Geography and Geoecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University Supervisor: Václav Treml, Department of Physical Geography and Geoecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University Abstract: Growing season temperatures drive treeline position on a global scale. However, environmental factors including wind action may critically modify the position of treeline ecotone on a regional or a local scale. The intensity of wind action increases with shortening of treeline-summit distance. High intensity of wind action may cause the presence of a summit syndrome. This results into the lowering of treeline below its potential limit given by temperature conditions. Alpine treeline ecotones occurring in 11 mountain ranges including the Harz Mts., the High Sudetes and the Carpathians represented the model areas for my research. These mountains are located at the 50th parallel and reflect an increase in the gradient of continentality. Moreover, the distance of treeline from the summit is highly variable among these mountains. These mountains are moreover characterized by differences in mass elevation effect and in the summit syndrome intensity. Treeline position in Central Europe is..