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He G, Shi Z, Fang H, Shi L, Wang Y, Yang H, Yan B, Yang C, Yu J, Liang Q, Zhao L, Jiang Q. Climate and soil stressed elevation patterns of plant species to determine the aboveground biomass distributions in a valley-type Savanna. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1324841. [PMID: 38601315 PMCID: PMC11004315 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1324841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Extreme environments such as prolonged high temperatures and droughts can cause vulnerability of vegetation ecosystems. The dry-hot valleys of Southwestern China, known for their extremely high annual temperature, lack of water, and unique non-zonal "hot island" habitat in the global temperate zone, provide exceptional sites for studying how plant adapts to the prolonged dry and hot environment. However, the specific local biotic-environment relationships in these regions remain incompletely elucidated. The study aims to evaluate how valley-type Savanna vegetation species and their communities adapt to long-term drought and high-temperature stress environments. Methods The study investigated the changes in species diversity and communities' aboveground biomass of a valley-type Savanna vegetation along an elevation gradient of Yuanmou dry-hot valley in Jinsha River basin, southwest China. Subsequently, a general linear model was utilized to simulate the distribution pattern of species diversities and their constituent biomass along the elevation gradient. Finally, the RDA and VPH mothed were used to evaluate the impacts and contributions of environmental factors or variables on the patterns. Results and discussion The field survey reveals an altitudinal gradient effect on the valley-type Savanna, with a dominant species of shrubs and herbs plants distribution below an elevation of 1700m, and a significant positive relationship between the SR, Shannon-Wiener, Simpson, and Pielou indices and altitudes. Relatively, the community aboveground biomass did not increase significantly with elevation, which was mainly due to a decreased biomass of herbaceous plants along the elevation. Different regulators of shrub-herbaceous plant species and their functional groups made different elevation patterns of species diversity and aboveground biomass in valley-type Savannas. Herbaceous plants are responsible for maintaining species diversity and ensuring stability in the aboveground biomass of the vegetation. However, the influence of shrubs on aboveground biomass became more pronounced as environmental conditions varied along the altitudinal gradient. Furthermore, species diversity was mainly influenced by soil and climatic environmental factors, whereas community biomass was mainly regulated by plant species or functional groups. The study demonstrates that the spatial pattern of valley-type Savanna was formed as a result of different environmental responses and the productive capacity of retained plant species or functional groups to climate-soil factors, highlighting the value of the Yuanmou dry-hot Valley as a microcosm for exploring the intricate interactions between vegetation evolution and changes in environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxiong He
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Geographical Processes and Environmental Change, Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Tropical Eco-Agriculture Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
- Yuanmou Dry-hot Valley Botanical Garden, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
- National Soil and Water Conservation Science and Technology Demonstration Park of Yunnan Yuanmou Jinlei, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhengtao Shi
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Geographical Processes and Environmental Change, Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Haidong Fang
- Tropical Eco-Agriculture Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
- Yuanmou Dry-hot Valley Botanical Garden, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
- National Soil and Water Conservation Science and Technology Demonstration Park of Yunnan Yuanmou Jinlei, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
| | - Liangtao Shi
- Tropical Eco-Agriculture Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
- Yuanmou Dry-hot Valley Botanical Garden, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
- National Soil and Water Conservation Science and Technology Demonstration Park of Yunnan Yuanmou Jinlei, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
| | - Yandan Wang
- Tropical Eco-Agriculture Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
- Yuanmou Dry-hot Valley Botanical Garden, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
- National Soil and Water Conservation Science and Technology Demonstration Park of Yunnan Yuanmou Jinlei, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
| | - Haozhou Yang
- Tropical Eco-Agriculture Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
- Yuanmou Dry-hot Valley Botanical Garden, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
- National Soil and Water Conservation Science and Technology Demonstration Park of Yunnan Yuanmou Jinlei, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
| | - Bangguo Yan
- Tropical Eco-Agriculture Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
- Yuanmou Dry-hot Valley Botanical Garden, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
- National Soil and Water Conservation Science and Technology Demonstration Park of Yunnan Yuanmou Jinlei, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
| | - Chaolei Yang
- Kunming General Survey of Natural Resources Center, China Geological Survey, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jianlin Yu
- Tropical Eco-Agriculture Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
- Yuanmou Dry-hot Valley Botanical Garden, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
- National Soil and Water Conservation Science and Technology Demonstration Park of Yunnan Yuanmou Jinlei, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmou, Yunnan, China
| | - Qiaoling Liang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Geographical Processes and Environmental Change, Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Geographical Processes and Environmental Change, Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Qin Jiang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Geographical Processes and Environmental Change, Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Di Marco M, Santini L, Corcos D, Tschorsnig HP, Cerretti P. Elevational homogenization of mountain parasitoids across six decades. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2308273120. [PMID: 37931098 PMCID: PMC10655582 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308273120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Elevational gradients are characterized by strong environmental changes within small geographical distances, providing important insights on the response of biological communities to climate change. Mountain biodiversity is particularly sensitive to climate change, given the limited capacity to colonize new areas and the competition from upshifting lowland species. Knowledge on the impact of climate change on mountain insect communities is patchy, but elevation is known to influence parasitic interactions which control insect communities and functions within ecosystems. We analyzed a European dataset of bristle flies, a parasitoid group which regulates insect herbivory in both managed and natural ecosystems. Our dataset spans six decades and multiple elevational bands, and we found marked elevational homogenization in the host specialization of bristle fly species through time. The proportion of specialized parasitoids has increased by ca. 70% at low elevations, from 17 to 29%, and has decreased by ca. 20% at high elevations, from 48 to 37%. As a result, the strong elevational gradient in bristle fly specialization observed in the 1960s has become much flatter over time. As climate warming is predicted to accelerate, the disappearance of specialized parasitoids from high elevations might become even faster. This parasitoid homogenization can reshape the ecological function of mountain insect communities, increasing the risk of herbivory outbreak at high elevations. Our results add to the mounting evidence that symbiotic species might be especially at risk from climate change: Monitoring the effects of these changes is urgently needed to define effective conservation strategies for mountain biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moreno Di Marco
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, RomeI-00185, Italy
- Museo di Zoologia, Polo Museale Sapienza, Sapienza University of Rome, RomeI-00162, Italy
| | - Luca Santini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, RomeI-00185, Italy
- Museo di Zoologia, Polo Museale Sapienza, Sapienza University of Rome, RomeI-00162, Italy
| | - Daria Corcos
- Istituto Comprensivo Solitati Tiburzi, Rome00149, Italy
| | | | - Pierfilippo Cerretti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, RomeI-00185, Italy
- Museo di Zoologia, Polo Museale Sapienza, Sapienza University of Rome, RomeI-00162, Italy
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3
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Marta S, Zimmer A, Caccianiga M, Gobbi M, Ambrosini R, Azzoni RS, Gili F, Pittino F, Thuiller W, Provenzale A, Ficetola GF. Heterogeneous changes of soil microclimate in high mountains and glacier forelands. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5306. [PMID: 37652908 PMCID: PMC10471727 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41063-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Landscapes nearby glaciers are disproportionally affected by climate change, but we lack detailed information on microclimate variations that can modulate the impacts of global warming on proglacial ecosystems and their biodiversity. Here, we use near-subsurface soil temperatures in 175 stations from polar, equatorial and alpine glacier forelands to generate high-resolution temperature reconstructions, assess spatial variability in microclimate change from 2001 to 2020, and estimate whether microclimate heterogeneity might buffer the severity of warming trends. Temporal changes in microclimate are tightly linked to broad-scale conditions, but the rate of local warming shows great spatial heterogeneity, with faster warming nearby glaciers and during the warm season, and an extension of the snow-free season. Still, most of the fine-scale spatial variability of microclimate is one-to-ten times larger than the temporal change experienced during the past 20 years, indicating the potential for microclimate to buffer climate change, possibly allowing organisms to withstand, at least temporarily, the effects of warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Marta
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via G. Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy.
- Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, IGG-CNR, Italian National Research Council, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Anaïs Zimmer
- Department of Geography and the Environment, University of Texas at Austin, 78712, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Marco Caccianiga
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via G. Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Gobbi
- Research & Museum Collections Office, Climate and Ecology Unit, MUSE-Science Museum, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3, 38122, Trento, Italy
| | - Roberto Ambrosini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via G. Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Sergio Azzoni
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via G. Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Department of Earth Sciences "Ardito Desio", University of Milan, Via L. Mangiagalli 34, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Gili
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via G. Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Pittino
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT) - University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Wilfried Thuiller
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, F38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Antonello Provenzale
- Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, IGG-CNR, Italian National Research Council, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gentile Francesco Ficetola
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via G. Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, F38000, Grenoble, France
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Sofi II, Shah MA, Ganie AH. Integrating human footprint with ensemble modelling identifies priority habitats for conservation: a case study in the distributional range of Arnebia euchroma, a vulnerable species. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:914. [PMID: 37395941 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11528-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Climate change-driven rapid alteration of ecosystems globally is further complicated by growing anthropogenic pressures, especially in the ecologically sensitive mountainous regions. However, these two major drivers of change have largely been considered separately in species distribution models, thus compromising their reliability. Here, we integrated ensemble modelling with the human pressure index for predicting distribution and mapping priority regions across a whole range of occurrences for vulnerable species, Arnebia euchroma. Our results identified 3.08% of the study area as 'highly suitable', 2.45% as 'moderately suitable', and 94.45% as 'not suitable' or 'least suitable'. Compared to current climatic conditions, future RCP scenarios of 2050 and 2070 showed a significant loss in habitat suitability and a slight shift in the distribution pattern of the target species. By excluding the high-pressure areas of the human footprint from the predicted suitable habitats, we were able to identify the unique areas (70% of the predicted suitable area) that need special attention for conservation and restoration. Such models, if well implemented, may play a pivotal role in achieving the effective targets under the aegis of the current UN decade on ecological restoration (2021-2030) in accordance with SDG 15.4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irfan Iqbal Sofi
- University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
| | - Manzoor A Shah
- University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Aijaz H Ganie
- University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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5
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Murphy MJ, Shea M. Survey and conservation assessment of the land snail fauna of Coolah Tops National Park in the Hunter Valley area of New South Wales, Australia. MOLLUSCAN RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/13235818.2023.2183538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2023]
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6
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Impact of climate change on Southeast Asian natural habitats, with focus on protected areas. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Brambilla M, Rubolini D, Appukuttan O, Calvi G, Karger DN, Kmecl P, Mihelič T, Sattler T, Seaman B, Teufelbauer N, Wahl J, Celada C. Identifying climate refugia for high-elevation Alpine birds under current climate warming predictions. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:4276-4291. [PMID: 35441422 PMCID: PMC9546033 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Identifying climate refugia is key to effective biodiversity conservation under a changing climate, especially for mountain-specialist species adapted to cold conditions and highly threatened by climate warming. We combined species distribution models (SDMs) with climate forecasts to identify climate refugia for high-elevation bird species (Lagopus muta, Anthus spinoletta, Prunella collaris, Montifringilla nivalis) in the European Alps, where the ecological effects of climate changes are particularly evident and predicted to intensify. We considered future (2041-2070) conditions (SSP585 scenario, four climate models) and identified three types of refugia: (1) in-situ refugia potentially suitable under both current and future climate conditions, ex-situ refugia suitable (2) only in the future according to all future conditions, or (3) under at least three out of four future conditions. SDMs were based on a very large, high-resolution occurrence dataset (2901-12,601 independent records for each species) collected by citizen scientists. SDMs were fitted using different algorithms, balancing statistical accuracy, ecological realism and predictive/extrapolation ability. We selected the most reliable ones based on consistency between training and testing data and extrapolation over distant areas. Future predictions revealed that all species (with the partial exception of A. spinoletta) will undergo a range contraction towards higher elevations, losing 17%-59% of their current range (larger losses in L. muta). We identified ~15,000 km2 of the Alpine region as in-situ refugia for at least three species, of which 44% are currently designated as protected areas (PAs; 18%-66% among countries). Our findings highlight the usefulness of spatially accurate data collected by citizen scientists, and the importance of model testing by extrapolating over independent areas. Climate refugia, which are only partly included within the current PAs system, should be priority sites for the conservation of Alpine high-elevation species and habitats, where habitat degradation/alteration by human activities should be prevented to ensure future suitability for alpine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Brambilla
- Lipu/BirdLife ItaliaParmaItaly
- MUSE–Museo delle Scienze, Sezione Zoologia dei VertebratiTrentoItaly
- Fondazione Lombardia per l’Ambiente, Settore Biodiversità e aree protetteMilanoItaly
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche AmbientaliUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanoItaly
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche AmbientaliUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanoItaly
- Istituto di Ricerca sulle Acque, IRSA‐CNRBrugherioItaly
| | - Ojan Appukuttan
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche AmbientaliUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanoItaly
| | | | - Dirk Nikolaus Karger
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL)BirmensdorfSwitzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Johannes Wahl
- Dachverband Deutscher Avifaunisten (DDA)MünsterGermany
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Yao Z, Huang K, Qi Y. Post-exercise Hypothermia Varies Between High- and Low-Altitude Populations in the Asiatic Toad (Bufo gargarizans). Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.846663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether and how poikilothermic animals change their thermal performance to cope with global warming are crucial questions to predict the future of biodiversity. Intraspecific comparison among populations that occur in different climatic zones can provide insight into how poikilotherms may alter their thermal performance under a particular climatic event. We compared populations of the Asiatic toad (Bufo gargarizans) from two altitudinal zones (3239 and 926 m above sea level) to explore variations of post-exercise hypothermia, which can lead to lower temperature preference than normal conditions. Common garden experiment was also employed to test plasticity of hypothermic performance in adult toads. As results, exhaustive exercise induced measurable reduction in body temperature for both populations. Furthermore, high-altitude population experienced larger reduction in body temperature than low-altitude conspecifics in both original habitat and common garden conditions. Therefore, low-altitude toads may to enhance their hypothermic reaction if they shift their ranges to higher altitudes to survive warming climate; However, the relatively limited plasticity of hypothermic performance may constraint their adaptative process.
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Schai‐Braun SC, Jenny H, Ruf T, Hackländer K. Temperature increase and frost decrease driving upslope elevational range shifts in Alpine grouse and hares. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:6602-6614. [PMID: 34582611 PMCID: PMC9292969 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Global climate change has led to range shifts in plants and animals, thus threatening biodiversity. Latitudinal shifts have been shown to be more pronounced than elevational shifts, implying that northern range edge margins may be more capable to keeping pace with warming than upper elevational limits. Additionally, global climate change is expected to disadvantage habitat specialists. In the Alps, climatic variation along the elevation gradient allows the coexistence of habitat specialists and generalists. Alpine species are anticipated to adapt their elevational ranges to the change of various climate variables caused by global climate change. Regional differences might buffer elevational shifts. Furthermore, distinct climate variables might differently affect the shifts of habitat specialists and generalists. To study the effect of climate change on Alpine species, we analysed hunting bag, climate and biogeographical data of two grouse species (Tetrao tetrix and Lagopus muta) and two hare species (Lepus timidus varronis and L. europaeus) in Grisons, Switzerland, over a period of 30 years. Our results based on 84,630 harvested specimens were as follows: (1) only three out of seven climate variables changed significantly within the study period. (2) The grouse species significantly shifted towards higher elevations, whereas the hare species only shifted in their minimum/maximum elevations. (3) Hunting elevation of habitat generalists increased more than in habitat specialists. (4) The elevational shifts were mostly related to the number of frost days. (5) Hunting elevation increased especially in the southern biogeographical region. To conclude, all four taxa respond to climate change but habitat generalists more rapidly than habitat specialists. The range shift to higher elevations due to global climate change will lead to a reduction in habitat availability for snow-adapted species. Climate change is thus a serious threat to alpine biodiversity. Regions rich in alpine habitats will have an increased responsibility to conserve these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie C. Schai‐Braun
- Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game ManagementUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Hannes Jenny
- Amt für Jagd und Fischerei GraubündenChurSwitzerland
| | - Thomas Ruf
- Research Institute of Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Veterinary MedicineViennaAustria
| | - Klaus Hackländer
- Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game ManagementUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
- Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung (German Wildlife Foundation)HamburgGermany
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Ficetola GF, Marta S, Guerrieri A, Gobbi M, Ambrosini R, Fontaneto D, Zerboni A, Poulenard J, Caccianiga M, Thuiller W. Dynamics of Ecological Communities Following Current Retreat of Glaciers. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND SYSTEMATICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-010521-040017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Glaciers are retreating globally, and the resulting ice-free areas provide an experimental system for understanding species colonization patterns, community formation, and dynamics. The last several years have seen crucial advances in our understanding of biotic colonization after glacier retreats, resulting from the integration of methodological innovations and ecological theories. Recent empirical studies have demonstrated how multiple factors can speed up or slow down the velocity of colonization and have helped scientists develop theoretical models that describe spatiotemporalchanges in community structure. There is a growing awareness of how different processes (e.g., time since glacier retreat, onset or interruption of surface processes, abiotic factors, dispersal, biotic interactions) interact to shape community formation and, ultimately, their functional structure through succession. Here, we examine how these studies address key theoretical questions about community dynamics and show how classical approaches are increasingly being combined with environmental DNA metabarcoding and functional trait analysis to document the formation of multitrophic communities, revolutionizing our understanding of the biotic processes that occur following glacier retreat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gentile Francesco Ficetola
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, I-20133 Milano, Italy
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Silvio Marta
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Alessia Guerrieri
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Mauro Gobbi
- Section of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, MUSE-Science Museum, I-38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Roberto Ambrosini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Diego Fontaneto
- Molecular Ecology Group, Water Research Institute (IRSA), Italian National Research Council (CNR), I-28922 Verbania Pallanza, Italy
| | - Andrea Zerboni
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra “A. Desio,” Università degli Studi di Milano, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Jerome Poulenard
- Laboratory of Environments, Dynamics, and Mountain Territories (EDYTEM), Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, F‐73000 Chambéry, France
| | - Marco Caccianiga
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Wilfried Thuiller
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, F-38000, Grenoble, France
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Abstract
The alpine belt hosts the treeless vegetation above the high elevation climatic treeline. The way alpine plants manage to thrive in a climate that prevents tree growth is through small stature, apt seasonal development, and ‘managing’ the microclimate near the ground surface. Nested in a mosaic of micro-environmental conditions, these plants are in a unique position by a close-by neighborhood of strongly diverging microhabitats. The range of adjacent thermal niches that the alpine environment provides is exceeding the worst climate warming scenarios. The provided mountains are high and large enough, these are conditions that cause alpine plant species diversity to be robust against climatic change. However, the areal extent of certain habitat types will shrink as isotherms move upslope, with the potential areal loss by the advance of the treeline by far outranging the gain in new land by glacier retreat globally.
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Simón-Salvador PR, Arreortúa M, Flores CA, Santiago-Dionicio H, González-Bernal E. The role of Indigenous and Community Conservation Areas in herpetofauna conservation: a preliminary list for Santa Cruz Tepetotutla, Oaxaca Mexico. Zookeys 2021; 1029:185-208. [PMID: 33935556 PMCID: PMC8050035 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1029.62205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The montane cloud forests of the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca (SMO) host a remarkable herpetofauna diversity and represent one of the most important areas of endemism for Mexico and Mesoamerica. Although the area has been previously studied, most of the extant records for this group are biased to locations accessed by paved roads. In addition, an important proportion of this territory is conserved by Indigenous and Community Conservation Areas (ICCA), but little information of the species occurring within these areas exists. Therefore, information on the distribution of many endemic taxa in this region to date is either underestimated or incomplete. With the aim of increasing the ecological and distributional knowledge of this group in remote areas, we carried out field surveys in Santa Cruz Tepetotutla Oaxaca, a locality 25 km in a straight line to the closest paved road that conserves 9,670 ha of land through the ICCAs modality. Surveys were made during 2018 and 2019, including both dry and wet seasons. A total of 40 species of amphibians and reptiles were recorded: 32.5% of these records represent distributional range extensions, while 20% represent altitudinal range extensions. A total of 17.5% are records of species under a high risk category, highlighting both the relevance of studying remote areas to increase species population knowledge and the role of community conservation actions for species persistence. Finally, our records include the rediscovery of Rhadinella schistosa, a species undetected for more than 50 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Rogelio Simón-Salvador
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, Unidad Oaxaca. Laboratorio de Ecología de Anfibios (ECA). Hornos 1003, Col. Noche Buena, 71230, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca, MéxicoInstituto Politécnico NacionalOaxacaMexico
| | - Medardo Arreortúa
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, Unidad Oaxaca. Laboratorio de Ecología de Anfibios (ECA). Hornos 1003, Col. Noche Buena, 71230, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca, MéxicoInstituto Politécnico NacionalOaxacaMexico
| | - Carlos A. Flores
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, Unidad Oaxaca. Laboratorio de Ecología de Anfibios (ECA). Hornos 1003, Col. Noche Buena, 71230, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca, MéxicoInstituto Politécnico NacionalOaxacaMexico
| | - Hermes Santiago-Dionicio
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, Unidad Oaxaca. Laboratorio de Ecología de Anfibios (ECA). Hornos 1003, Col. Noche Buena, 71230, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca, MéxicoInstituto Politécnico NacionalOaxacaMexico
| | - Edna González-Bernal
- CONACYT – Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, Unidad Oaxaca. Laboratorio de Ecología de Anfibios (ECA). Hornos 1003, Col. Noche Buena, 71230, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca, MéxicoInstituto Politécnico NacionalOaxacaMexico
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Dufresnes C, Rodrigues N, Savary R. Slow and steady wins the race: contrasted phylogeographic signatures in two Alpine amphibians. Integr Zool 2021; 17:181-190. [PMID: 33433936 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A deeper phylogeographic structure is expected for slow-dispersing habitat specialists compared to widespread adaptable species, especially in topographically complex regions. We tested this classic assumption by comparing the genomic (RAD-sequencing) phylogeographies of two amphibians inhabiting the Swiss Alps: the mobile, cosmopolitan common frog (Rana temporaria) against the stationary, mountain endemic Alpine salamander (Salamandra atra). Our results ran opposite of predictions: the frog displayed significantly higher genetic divergences and lower within-population variation compared to the salamander. This implies a prominent role for their distinctive glacial histories in shaping intraspecific diversity and structure: diversification and recolonization from several circum-Alpine micro-refugia for the frog versus a single refugium for the salamander, potentially combined with better population connectivity and stability. These striking differences emphasize the great variability of phylogeographic responses to the Quaternary glaciations, hence the complexity to predict general patterns of genetic diversity at the regional scale, and the forces that underlie them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Dufresnes
- LASER, College of Biology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Nicolas Rodrigues
- Department of Ecology & Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Romain Savary
- Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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