Plant biodiversity in Scottish alpine vegetation: a review and research needs

Summary

Ecological research in Scotland during the four decades since the publication of Burnett's (1964) volume has characterized the diversity of alpine vegetation in Scotland. There has been less progress in understanding the structural and functional roles of plant species in Scottish alpine ecosystems. Areas for future research in Scottish alpine vegetation are discussed in terms of the causes of patterns in biodiversity and the factors likely to influence these. The potential role of Scottish alpine vegetation as a biogeographic extreme for comparison in larger scale studies is outlined.