Geobotanical Studies on the Taku Glacier Anomaly

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Abstract
A study of ice recession of the Taku glacier in the Juneau Ice Field of Alaska by members of the Juneau Ice Field Research Project based on investigations of both the termini and source of the glacier. The 1952 field party undertook to determine the location, amount and direction of the changes that had taken place since the general lowering of ice of the late post-glacial maximum. The maximum advance of a glacier (trimline), and subsequent withdrawal may be determined by an analysis of vegetation; this is best indicated if glacier retreat is relatively recent and before the elapse of time to favor the development of a homogeneous vegetation. The extent of the plant cover, its degree of development or successional stages, the soil thickness, and the number and kind of plant species were major botanical or ecological criteria on which conclusions were founded. The evidence in- . dicates that the Taku Glacier has advanced, and will probably continue to advance for several years while other glaciers of the Juneau Ice Field are in retreat.

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