Response of alpine plant flower production to temperature and snow cover fluctuation at the species range boundary

Surface temperatures have risen globally during the last 30 years, especially in alpine areas. It is recognized that these increases are influencing phenology, physiology and distribution of plants. However, few studies have addressed the effects of climate warming at the species range boundary, where plants are expected to be more stressed. We analysed 11-year data sets of inflorescence production of four alpine plants (Carex foetida, Leucanthemopsis alpina, Senecio incanus, Silene suecica) at the southern boundary of their distribution range in the N-Apennines (N-Italy), in relation to air temperature and snow cover persistence. Inflorescence production of all species fluctuated greatly and was significantly affected by the variation of the mean temperature of June/July. We found significant relationships also between species data series and the snow cover persistence. Moreover, species responded differently to such parameters. One species showed a significant decrease of the reproductive effort, whereas the other three showed a stable trend of inflorescence production. We have shown that some alpine species are favoured by increased temperature and reduced snow cover even at the boundary of their range, where they are thought to be particularly sensitive to warming. However, the aptitude to cope with climate change might be limited by competition against thermophilous species migrating from lower altitude and in some cases by the low altitude of mountain peaks that prevent species upward migration. The individualistic response of species to climate change found here, support the statement that the composition of plant communities might rapidly change in the future.
 
Citation proposal
Thomas Abeli (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia,) - Graziano Rossi (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia,) - Rodolfo Gentili (Science Department of the Environment and Territory,University of Milan-Bicocca,) - Andrea Mondoni (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia,) - Paolo Cristofanelli (Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (ISAC) - CNR) (2011) . Response of alpine plant flower production to temperature and snow cover fluctuation at the species range boundary. Springerlink https://geoportal.mountaingenius.org/geonetwork/srv/api/records/b78f5f01-c959-4160-ae71-3dbbcc9079be
 

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2011-11-13T00:00:00
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BIOMEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES PLANT ECOLOGY Volume 213, Number 1, 1-13
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PLANT ECOLOGY Volume 213, Number 1, 1-13
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1385-0237
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  • Climate change , Species resilience , Long-term monitoring , Peripheral populations , Plant reproduction , Snow cover
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  • Italy
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Abstract:"Response of alpine plant flower production to temperature and snow cover fluctuation at the species range boundary."  

Abstract:"Response of alpine plant flower

production to temperature and snow cover fluctuation at the species range boundary."

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"Response of alpine plant flower production to temperature and snow cover fluctuation at the species range boundary."

Thomas Abeli, Graziano Rossi, Rodolfo Gentili, Andrea Mondoni and Paolo Cristofanelli.

BIOMEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES

PLANT ECOLOGY

Volume 213, Number 1, 1-13, DOI: 10.1007/s11258-011-0001-5

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2012-03-12T17:27:25
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