Bryophyte cover and richness decline after 18 years of experimental warming in alpine Sweden

Abstract Climate change is expected to affect alpine and Arctic tundra communities. Most previous long-term studies have focused on impacts on vascular plants, this study examined impacts of long-term warming on bryophyte communities. Experimental warming with open-top chambers (OTCs) was applied for 18 years to a mesic meadow and a dry heath alpine plant community. Species abundance was measured in 1995, 1999, 2001 and 2013. Species composition changed significantly from original communities in the heath, but remained similar in mesic meadow. Experimental warming increased beta diversity in the heath. Bryophyte cover and species richness both declined with long-term warming, while Simpson diversity showed no significant responses. Over the 18-year period, bryophyte cover in warmed plots decreased from 43 % to 11 % in heath and from 68 % to 35 % in meadow (75 % and 48 % decline, respectively, in original cover), while richness declined by 39 % and 26 %, respectively. Importantly, the decline in cover and richness first emerged after 7 years. Warming caused significant increase in litter in both plant communities. Deciduous shrub and litter cover had negative impact on bryophyte cover. We show that bryophyte species do not respond similarly to climate change. Total bryophyte cover declined in both heath and mesic meadow under experimental long-term warming (by 1.5–3 °C), driven by general declines in many species. Principal response curve, cover and richness results suggested that bryophytes in alpine heath are more susceptible to warming than in meadow, supporting the suggestion that bryophytes may be less resistant in drier environments than in wetter habitats. Species loss was slower than the decline in bryophyte abundance, and diversity remained similar in both communities. Increased deciduous shrub and litter cover led to decline in bryophyte cover. The non-linear response to warming over time underlines the importance of long-term experiments and monitoring.

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Bryophyte cover and richness decline after 18 years of experimental warming in Alpine Sweden

10.32942/osf.io/zrbqf ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Juha Alatalo ◽

Annika Jägerbrand ◽

Mohammad Bagher Erfanian ◽

Shengbin Chen ◽

Shou-Qin Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Species Abundance ◽

Experimental Warming ◽

Litter Cover ◽

General Decline ◽

Principal Response Curve ◽

Heath Community ◽

Abundance And Diversity

Background and Aims: Climate change is expected to affect alpine and Arctic tundra communities. Most previous long-term studies have focused on impacts on vascular plants, but this study examined potential impacts of long-term warming on bryophyte communities.Methods: Experimental warming with open-top chambers (OTCs) was applied for 18 years to a mesic meadow and a dry heath alpine plant community. Species abundance was measured in 1995, 1999, 2001 and 2013. Key results: Species composition changed significantly from the original communities in the heath, but remained similar in the mesic meadow. Experimental warming increased beta diversity in the heath community. Bryophyte cover and species richness both declined with long-term warming, while Simpson diversity showed no significant responses. Over the 18-year period, bryophyte cover in warmed plots decreased from 43% to 11% in heath and from 68% to 35% in meadow (75% and 48% decline, respectively, in original cover), while richness declined by 39% and 26%, respectively. The decline in both cover and richness first emerged after seven years. Warming caused a significant increase in litter in both plant communities. Litter cover had a negative impact on bryophyte cover in both communities. Conclusions: This study showed that bryophyte species do not all respond similarly to climate change. Total bryophyte cover declined in both dry heath and mesic meadow communities under experimental long-term warming (by 1.5-3°C), driven by general declines in many species. Principal response curve, cover and richness results suggested that bryophytes in alpine heath vegetation are more susceptible to warming than those in meadow vegetation, supporting the suggestion that bryophyte communities may be less resistant in drier environments than in wetter habitats. Species loss was slower than the general decline in bryophyte abundance, and diversity remained similar in both communities. Increased litter cover led to a steep decline in bryophyte cover.

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Arctic Plant Responses to Climate Warming: It’s Not all about Nitrogen

Inquiry@Queen's Undergraduate Research Conference Proceedings ◽

10.24908/iqurcp.9993 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Sanna Masud

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

The Arctic ◽

Plant Responses ◽

Experimental Warming ◽

Nutrient Pools ◽

Research Attention ◽

Low Arctic ◽

Total Plant ◽

The Impact ◽

Deciduous Shrub

Climate change is increasing air and soil temperatures in the Arctic, likely enhancing microbial activity. Consequently, increased decomposition rates of soil organic matter and increasing nutrient supply to tundra vegetation can be expected. The impacts of experimental warming and fertilization on growth have been investigated by studying the availability of macronutrients such as N, P and C. However, other macronutrients such as S, Ca, Mg, K, and micronutrients such as Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn have received little research attention to determine their function, biogeochemical cycling, and effect on vegetation growth in response to warming. This study investigated the impact of experimental warming responses on availability and accumulation of the latter nutrients in the principal plant species located in mesic birch hummock tundra near Daring Lake, Northwest Territories in the Canadian Low Arctic Tundra. Plants were sampled in 2011 from the replicated summer greenhouse treatment that was established in 2004. In response to warming, the principal evergreen shrub (Rhododendron) had the most enhanced growth, followed by the deciduous shrub (Birch). Since the total plant pools of these nutrients were also enhanced in the evergreen, my results strongly suggest that availability of these nutrients was not limiting growth. By contrast, the birch total plant nutrient pools were not enhanced and significant decreases in Mg, S, and K leaf concentrations were observed, suggesting that these elements may be limiting birch growth. Together, our results suggest that plant growth response to climate change in the low Arctic may depend on previously overlooked nutrient elements, and that deciduous shrub growth may be constrained relative to the evergreen response as the arctic climate warms.

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The case for long-term studies of greenhouse gas emissions

Environmental Conservation ◽

10.1017/s0376892999000247 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 166-168 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

TIM NEWCOMB

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Greenhouse Gases ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Industrialized Countries ◽

Intergovernmental Panel ◽

Long Term Studies

Many nations have recognized the need to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The scientific assessments of climate change of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) support the need to reduce GHG emissions. The 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the 1992 Convention on Climate Change (UNTS 30822) has now been signed by more than 65 countries, although that Protocol has not yet entered into force. Some 14 of the industrialized countries listed in the Protocol face reductions in carbon dioxide emissions of more than 10% compared to projected 1997 carbon dioxide emissions (Najam & Page 1998).

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Valuing the Recreational Benefits of Wetland Adaptation to Climate Change: A Trade-off Between Species’ Abundance and Diversity

Environmental Management ◽

10.1007/s00267-014-0407-7 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

pp. 550-563 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Michela Faccioli ◽

Antoni Riera Font ◽

Catalina M. Torres Figuerola

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Species Abundance ◽

Adaptation To Climate Change ◽

Trade Off ◽

Abundance And Diversity ◽

Recreational Benefits

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Impact of climate change on livestock productivity: A review

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v48i4.3006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 149-164

Author(s):

I. I. Madziga

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Heat Stress ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Livestock Production ◽

Changement Climatique ◽

Impact Of Climate Change ◽

Stress Thermique ◽

Temperature Radiation ◽

Livestock Productivity

Climate change is a long-term shift in the statistics of the weather such as temperature, radiation, and wind and rainfall characteristics of a particular region. Sustainability in livestock production system is largely affected by climate change. A disproportion between metabolic high temperature production inside the animal body and its dissipation to the surroundings results to heat stress under high air temperature and humid climates. The foremost reaction of animals under thermal weather is an increase in respiration rate, rectal temperature and heart rate. The anticipated rise in temperature due to climate change is likely to aggravate the heat stress in livestock, adversely affecting their productive and reproductive performance and even death in extreme cases. The predicted negative impact of climate change on agriculture would also adversely affect livestock production by aggravating the feed and fodder shortages. The paper mainly reviews the impacts of climate change on livestock productive performance. Le changement climatique est un changement à long terme dans les statistiques météorologiques telles que la température, le rayonnement et les caractéristiques du vent et des précipitations d'une région particulière. La durabilité du système de production de bétail est largement affectée par le changement climatique. Une disproportion entre la production métabolique à haute température à l'intérieur du corps de l'animal et sa dissipation dans l'environnement entraîne un stress thermique sous des températures élevées de l'air et des climats humides. La réaction la plus importante des animaux sous temps thermique est une augmentation de la fréquence respiratoire, de la température rectale et de la fréquence cardiaque. L'augmentation prévue de la température due au changement climatique est susceptible d'aggraver le stress thermique du bétail, affectant négativement ses performances productives et reproductives et même la mort dans les cas extrêmes. L'impact négatif prévu du changement climatique sur l'agriculture aurait également un effet négatif sur la production animale en aggravant les pénuries d'aliments et de fourrage. Le document passe principalement en revue les impacts du changement climatique sur les performances de production de bétail.

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Low-Carbon Transport Policy in ASEAN Countries: A Comparative Analysis

10.20944/preprints201705.0185.v1 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Stefan Bakker ◽

Kathleen Dematera Contreras ◽

Monica Kappiantari ◽

Tuan Anh Nguyen ◽

Danielle Guillen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Comparative Analysis ◽

Negative Impact ◽

The Philippines ◽

Transport Policy ◽

Low Carbon ◽

Current Trends ◽

Asean Countries ◽

Carbon Transport

Emerging countries in Southeast Asia are facing considerable challenges in addressing rising motorisation and its negative impact on air quality, traffic, energy security, liveability, and greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, even as initial policies to address these issues are being agreed and implemented, current trends are incompatible with sustainable development and long-term climate change targets. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the approach and status of sustainable, low-carbon transport policy in ASEAN countries and identifies differences and similarities, with the aim of helping assessment of feasibility of future policies and informing future studies on policy innovations and cross-country learning. The methodology is based on the taxonomy of policy components developed by Howlett and Cashore, and our data on comprehensive country studies for Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam and interviews. We find that each country has a specific set of goals, objectives and targets that support sustainable transport, and, directly or indirectly, climate change mitigation. In terms of specific instruments and calibrations, which we analyse based on the Avoid-Shift-Improve approach, there are notable differences between the countries, for example in fuel economy policy.

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GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: CAUSES OF OCCURRENCE AND CONSEQUENCES FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN THE SOUTHERN STEPPE

Міжвідомчий тематичний науковий збірник Меліорація і водне господарство ◽

10.31073/mivg201901-162 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 88-98

Author(s):

S. P. Goloborodko ◽

O. M. Dymov

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Air Temperature ◽

Global Climate Change ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

System Analysis ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Global Climate ◽

World Ocean ◽

Simultaneous Increase

Relevance of the research. If greenhouse gases in the XXI century enter the atmosphere in the same volume as now, the increase in the average temperature on the planet will reach 2–4°C, and therefore the threat of extinction of up to 20–30% of species of animals and plants in existing biocenosis is not excluded. At the same time, the water level in the world ocean will rise, which during the XX century became higher by 17 cm, that is, more than for the previous 2000 years. Simultaneously with the increase in the average monthly air temperature in the conditions of natural moisturizing (without irrigation) of the southern Steppe subzone of Ukraine in recent years, insufficient precipitation has been recorded, especially in July, August and September that, according to various estimates, is typical for the semi-desert and desert. As a result, the aridity of the climate has increased and the frequency of droughts has risen as well. If for the period of 400 years, in the XI–XIV centuries droughts occurred only 8 times, in the XVII–XVIII – 17, in the XIX – 20, in the XX century the number of them increased to 30. The purpose of the article is to reveal the causes of global climate change on the planet and its impact on agricultural production of the southern Steppe subzone that resulted in increasing the coefficient of moisture, evaporation and moisture deficit. Research methods. The study was carried out using long-term meteorological observations of Kherson meteorological station. Scientific research was based on the complex application of statistical, monographic, abstract-logical methods and system analysis. Research results. The analysis of the main causes of global and regional climate change was conducted. Four models of the bases of climate change on the planet Earth were made. The influence of climate change on the formation of crops yield in the subzone of the southern Steppe was specified. The amount of precipitation fell during the growing period of 2011–2017 in medium dry and dry years shows that, compared to the long-term average precipitation, it was significantly lower and amounted to 47.2–63.6 mm. In average for the 65 years (1945–2010) evaporation was 722.0 mm, and the deficit of moisture, respectively 487.4 mm. In wet years, the volatility does not exceed 608.6 mm, and the deficit of moisture was made up of 243.6 mm. In average as to water supply years the evaporation increased up to 645.7–746.3 mm and the deficit of moisture increased up to 406.7–507.7 mm. In mid-dry and dry years, evaporation increased up to 769.8–934.5 mm, and the deficit of moisture – up to 580.9–791.0 mm. Conclusions. The decrease in precipitation, especially in dry years, compared to average annual indicators, was recorded in spring period as 24–27% and in autumn – as 62–65%, along with a simultaneous increase in air temperature in those periods as 2.7 and 2.8°C respectively. In general, during the vegetation period the increase in evaporation was 30–31% and the deficit of moisture was 53–55% that resulted in low yields of crops. The main way to overcome the negative impact of global climate change on the agricultural production of the southern Steppe subzone is the effective use and further extending the areas of actual irrigation, that will ensure stable high yields and food security of the state.

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Long-term experimental warming and nutrient additions increase productivity in tall deciduous shrub tundra

Ecosphere ◽

10.1890/es13-00281.1 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

pp. art72 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Jennie DeMarco ◽

Michelle C. Mack ◽

M. Syndonia Bret-Harte ◽

Mark Burton ◽

Gaius R. Shaver

Keyword(s):

Experimental Warming ◽

Nutrient Additions ◽

Shrub Tundra ◽

Increase Productivity ◽

Deciduous Shrub

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Nutrient addition increases rotifer abundance and diversity in a temperate bog

Fundamental and Applied Limnology / Archiv für Hydrobiologie ◽

10.1127/fal/2020/1302 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 194 (2) ◽

pp. 77-83

Author(s):

Leszek A. Błędzki ◽

Jill L. Bubier ◽

Tim R. Moore ◽

Sari Juutinen

Keyword(s):

Interstitial Water ◽

Carbon Sink ◽

Species Abundance ◽

Ecological Role ◽

Decomposition Rates ◽

Sink Capacity ◽

Abundance And Diversity ◽

P Addition

Rotifers are among the smallest metazoan animals living in lakes, ponds, rivers and in interstitial water within Sphagnum mats. When in sufficient numbers they are capable of regenerating large amounts of nitrogen (N) as NO3 and NH4 and phosphorus (P) as PO4; all of these nutrients are immediately available to bog plants. The ecological role of rotifers in bog ecosystems has been recognized at both local and global scales, but the effect of N and P addition on rotifers in bogs remains unknown. Here we present data on the influence of N and P addition on rotifers at a temperate Canadian bog dominated by Sphagnum mosses. We found that rotifer species abundance and diversity were significantly higher in surficial pore water after long-term exposure to increased N and P addition than in the control. A change in plant species distribution and increased rotifer abundance may partly explain the faster decomposition rates, jeopardizing the carbon sink capacity of bogs.

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