Unexpected impacts of climate change on alpine vegetation

• Main Authors: CANNONE, Nicoletta, SGORBATI S, GUGLIELMIN M.
• Other Authors: Cannone, Nicoletta, Sgorbati, S, Guglielmin, M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC : Ecological Society of America, c2003- 2007
• Subjects: alpine vegetation; climate change; European Alps; permafrost
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11392/470208

The vegetation in a high alpine site of the European Alps experienced changes in area between 1953 and 2003 as a result of climate change. Shrubs showed rapid expansion rates of 5.6% per decade at altitudes between 2400 m and 2500 m. Above 2500 m, vegetation coverage exhibited unexpected patterns of regression associated with increased precipitation and permafrost degradation. As these changes follow a sharp increase in both summer and annual temperatures after 1980, we suggest that vegetation of the alpine (2400-2800 m) and nival (above 2800 m) belts respond in a fast and flexible way, contradicting previous hypotheses that alpine and nival species appear to have a natural inertia and are able to tolerate an increase of 1-2°C in mean air temperature.