Climate change and the autecology of six plant species along an altitudinal gradient on subantarctic Macquarie Island

AbstractThe climate is changing rapidly, and this may pose a major threat to global biodiversity. One of the most distinctive consequences of climate change is the poleward and/or upward shift of species distribution ranges associated with increasing temperatures, resulting in a change of species composition and community structure in the forest ecosystems. The Baekdudaegan mountain range connects most forests from the lowland to the subalpine zone in South Korea and is therefore recognized as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots. This study was conducted to understand the distribution range of vascular plants along elevational gradients through field surveys in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan mountain range. We identified the upper and lower distribution limits of a total of 873 taxa of vascular plants with 117 families, 418 genera, 793 species, 14 subspecies, 62 varieties, two forms, and two hybrids. A total of 12 conifers were recorded along the elevational gradient. The distribution ranges of Abies koreana, Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, and Thuja koraiensis were limited to over 1000 m above sea level. We also identified 21 broad-leaved trees in the subalpine zone. A total of 45 Korean endemic plant species were observed, and of these, 15 taxa (including Aconitum chiisanense and Hanabusaya asiatica) showed a narrow distribution range in the subalpine zone. Our study provides valuable information on the current elevational distribution ranges of vascular plants in the six national parks of South Korea, which could serve as a baseline for vertical shifts under future climate change.

Download Full-text

Dynamics of invasive alien plant species in China under climate change scenarios

Ecological Indicators ◽

10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107919 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 129 ◽

pp. 107919

Author(s):

Wenqin Tu ◽

Qinli Xiong ◽

Xiaoping Qiu ◽

Yongmei Zhang

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Plant Species ◽

Climate Change Scenarios ◽

Alien Plant Species ◽

Alien Plant ◽

Invasive Alien Plant

Download Full-text

Responses of insect pests, pathogens, and invasive plant species to climate change in the forests of northeastern North America: What can we predict?This article is one of a selection of papers from NE Forests 2100: A Synthesis of Climate Change Impacts on Forests of the Northeastern US and Eastern Canada.

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x08-171 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 231-248 ◽

Cited By ~ 268

Author(s):

Jeffrey S. Dukes ◽

Jennifer Pontius ◽

David Orwig ◽

Jeffrey R. Garnas ◽

Vikki L. Rodgers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Plant Species ◽

Invasive Plant ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Adelges Tsugae ◽

Pest Species ◽

Invasive Plant Species ◽

Eastern Canada ◽

Wide Range ◽

Nuisance Species

Climate models project that by 2100, the northeastern US and eastern Canada will warm by approximately 3–5 °C, with increased winter precipitation. These changes will affect trees directly and also indirectly through effects on “nuisance” species, such as insect pests, pathogens, and invasive plants. We review how basic ecological principles can be used to predict nuisance species’ responses to climate change and how this is likely to impact northeastern forests. We then examine in detail the potential responses of two pest species (hemlock woolly adelgid ( Adelges tsugae Annand) and forest tent caterpillar ( Malacosoma disstria Hubner)), two pathogens (armillaria root rot ( Armillaria spp.) and beech bark disease ( Cryptococcus fagisuga Lind. + Neonectria spp.)), and two invasive plant species (glossy buckthorn ( Frangula alnus Mill.) and oriental bittersweet ( Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb.)). Several of these species are likely to have stronger or more widespread effects on forest composition and structure under the projected climate. However, uncertainty pervades our predictions because we lack adequate data on the species and because some species depend on complex, incompletely understood, unstable relationships. While targeted research will increase our confidence in making predictions, some uncertainty will always persist. Therefore, we encourage policies that allow for this uncertainty by considering a wide range of possible scenarios.

Download Full-text

Floristic Diversity Along An Altitudinal Gradient in Lakadmandi Beat of Kalatop Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary of District Chamba, Himachal Pradesh

Indian Journal of Forestry ◽

10.54207/bsmps1000-2016-k4447j ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 101-110

Author(s):

R. Verma

Keyword(s):

Medicinal Plants ◽

Plant Species ◽

Altitudinal Gradient ◽

Himachal Pradesh ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Floristic Diversity ◽

Wildlife Sanctuary ◽

Cedrus Deodara ◽

Quercus Leucotrichophora ◽

Herb Species

A study was conducted to understand the floristic diversity along an altitudinal gradient with elevations varying from 1800-2400m above msl in Lakadmandi beat of Kalatop Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary in district Chamba, Himachal Pradesh during 2011. Total number of plant species was 81 belonging to 52 families and 76 genera. The dominant families were Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Pinaceae and Polygonaceae. The number of trees species was 6, 6 and 10 with the dominance of Quercus leucotrichophora, Cedrus deodara and Cedrus deodara at 1800-2000m, 2000-2200m and 2200-2400m elevation ranges respectively. The number of shrub species was 16, 13 and 23 with the dominance of Quercus leucotrichophora sapling, Sarcococca saligna and Sarcococca saligna at 1800-2000m, 2000-2200m and 2200-2400m elevations respectively. The number of herb species was 46, 46 and 58 at 1800-2000m, 2000-2200m and 2200-2400m elevation ranges respectively. On the basis of Importance Value Index (IVI), Valeriana jatamansii was the dominant herb at 2000-2200m and 2200-2400m elevation ranges respectively. The distribution pattern of most of plant species was contiguous at all altitudinal ranges. Index of diversity for herb species in these elevational ranges was 3.420, 3.568 and 3.250. Out of 40 medicinal plant species recorded from the area, 3 species i.e. Paris polyphylla, Podophyllum hexandrum and Taxus wallichiana fall in the category of threatened plants. The better conservation of natural resources can be done through promotion of community based conservation, ex-situ conservation through tissue culture, developing cultivation technologies and nurseries of medicinal plants and conducting of regular training on the procedure of medicinal plants collection and processing among the end users.

Download Full-text