Response of Saxifraga oppositifolia L. to simulated climate change at three contrasting latitudes
Saxifraga oppositifolia, a widespread circum‐arctic and alpine plant species, was exposed to increased temperature at three ITEX sites of different latitudes: Val Bercla in the Swiss Alps (46°N), Latnjajaure in mid‐alpine Northern Sweden (68°N), and Alexandra Fjord, Ellesmere Island (79°N) in the Ca...
| Published in: | Global Change Biology |
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| Main Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
1997
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.1997.gcb144.x https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1365-2486.1997.gcb144.x https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1365-2486.1997.gcb144.x |
| Summary: | Saxifraga oppositifolia, a widespread circum‐arctic and alpine plant species, was exposed to increased temperature at three ITEX sites of different latitudes: Val Bercla in the Swiss Alps (46°N), Latnjajaure in mid‐alpine Northern Sweden (68°N), and Alexandra Fjord, Ellesmere Island (79°N) in the Canadian High Arctic. Phenology, growth, and reproduction were monitored for 2 or 3 consecutive years. Increased temperature had little influence on the phenology of S. oppositifolia , although flowering period was somewhat longer and pollination earlier in the experimental plots. A decrease in the density of flowers on each plant was noted at two sites over 3 years, with a slightly larger decrease in the warmed plots. The few changes observed in reproductive variables (e.g. fruit : flower ratio) are mostly assigned to increased shading by taller growing neighbouring plants of other species, thus limiting performance of the shade‐intolerant S. oppositifolia . It is assumed that survival of this species, especially at the lower limits of its altitudinal and latitudinal distribution, will depend on seed dispersal to new, open habitats. |
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