Foliar freezing resistance of Australian alpine plants over the growing season

We assessed the freezing resistance of leaves ex situ of 25 Australian alpine plant species. We compared the freezing resistance of forb, graminoid and shrub species from three alpine summits of different altitudes; from a low altitude site just above treeline, to a fully alpine tundra site. Foliar freezing resistance (LT₅₀) in spring varied from ?5.9°C to ?18.7°C and standardized LT₅₀ values within species were significantly related to site altitude. Additionally, when comparing all the species in the study, freezing resistance was significantly related to site; the LT₅₀ of samples from a low‐altitude summit (1696 m) were significantly lower than those of samples from mid‐ (1805 m) and high‐altitude (1860 m) summits. The LT₅₀ of juvenile foliage did not differ significantly from that of adult foliage. Shrubs were highly resistant to freezing. At the highest summit, we examined the course of seasonal freezing resistance from early summer to early autumn across three alpine plant communities that differed in the time of natural snowmelt; from sheltered (snowpatch) to exposed (open heath). No differences in freezing resistance over the growing season were detected for exposed or sheltered communities and there were no consistent trends indicating frost hardening over the growing season. Overall, the common Australian alpine species we investigated appear well adapted to freezing conditions throughout the snow‐free growing season. We have no evidence to suggest that freezing temperatures soon after snowmelt in spring are especially damaging to the alpine plants at these summits.     

Plants,Birds and Butterflies: Short-Term Responses of Species Communities to Climate Warming Vary by Taxon and with Altitude

As a consequence of climate warming, species usually shift their distribution towards higher latitudes or altitudes. Yet, it is unclear how different taxonomic groups may respond to climate warming over larger altitudinal ranges. Here, we used data from the national biodiversity monitoring program of Switzerland, collected over an altitudinal range of 2500 m. Within the short period of eight years (2003–2010), we found significant shifts in communities of vascular plants, butterflies and birds. At low altitudes, communities of all species groups changed towards warm-dwelling species, corresponding to an average uphill shift of 8 m, 38 m and 42 m in plant, butterfly and bird communities, respectively. However, rates of community changes decreased with altitude in plants and butterflies, while bird communities changed towards warm-dwelling species at all altitudes. We found no decrease in community variation with respect to temperature niches of species, suggesting that climate warming has not led to more homogenous communities. The different community changes depending on altitude could not be explained by different changes of air temperatures, since during the 16 years between 1995 and 2010, summer temperatures in Switzerland rose by about 0.07°C per year at all altitudes. We discuss that land-use changes or increased disturbances may have prevented alpine plant and butterfly communities from changing towards warm-dwelling species. However, the findings are also consistent with the hypothesis that unlike birds, many alpine plant species in a warming climate could find suitable habitats within just a few metres, due to the highly varied surface of alpine landscapes. Our results may thus support the idea that for plants and butterflies and on a short temporal scale, alpine landscapes are safer places than lowlands in a warming world.     

On community structure in high alpine grasslands

Previously published data on production biology, energy use efficiency, nutrient availability and vulnerability were reinterpreted for the explanation of community processing and structure in high altitude grasslands of the Alps. The final goal of the approach was to present a characterization of these plant communities in generalized terms.The keystone-concept was applied, and the alpine grasslands then defined as plant communities with one or a few keystone species. Associated species show a varying degree of interdependence from these keystones. They form guilds exploiting resources not needed by the latter. As many of these species belong to these groups, and alpine grasslands are commonly species rich, a high functional redundancy is typical for these communities.     

Variable wood formation and adaptation to the alpine environment of Ephedra pachyclada (Gnetales: Ephedraceae) in the Mustang district, western Nepal

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Plants of Ephedra normally have vessels, but are known to become nearly vessel-less in some alpine localities. Previous studies implied that wood formation in Ephedra differs fundamentally from that in dicotyledons in which vessel-bearing and vessel-less taxa are systematically distinct. Using E. pachyclada in the Mustang district of Nepal, growing in an altitudinal range of over 2000 m, variation in wood formation and adaptation to alpine environment was studied in this normally vessel-bearing species. METHODS: Variation in wood anatomy and wood formation was observed with conventional optical microscopy. The lengths of three kinds of tracheary elements were measured and statistically analysed against habitat altitude and plant size of the individuals studied. KEY RESULTS: In E. pachyclada three kinds of tracheary elements, vessel elements, tracheids and fibre-tracheids, were nearly equal in length within individuals showing no elongation after differentiation from cambial initials. Tracheary element lengths among individuals had a negative correlation with altitude and a positive correlation with plant size. Multivariate analyses showed that altitude has a stronger correlation with tracheary element lengths than plant height or stem diameter. Moreover, several individuals from high elevations completely lacked vessels, and vessel formation fluctuated even in individuals from lower elevations. CONCLUSIONS: Wood anatomical trends in E. pachyclada are considered as an adaptation to extremely dry conditions in high mountains. Fluctuation in vessel formation in individuals from low elevations indicated that vessels differentiate only when their lateral expansion is allowed. These results showed that E. pachyclada has a different system of wood formation from dicotyledons and supported the opinion that the wood structure of Gnetales is fundamentally different from that of angiosperms.     

Floristic composition and macroenvironmental relationships of Tasmanian vegetation containing bolster plants

Communities containing bolster (hard cushion) plants are widespread in alpine and subalpine treeless plant communities in Tasmania. Numerical analysis of species presence/absence data from 227 quadrats defined thirteen communities, the distributions of which proved strongly related to a southwest to northeast edaphic gradient and altitude. The high altitude communities and those on oligotrophic soils are most likely to be dominated by bolster species, whereas the eastern communities are more frequently dominated by shrubs or graminoids.Nomenclature follows Curtis (1963, 1967), Curtis & Morris (1975), Curtis & Stones (1978) and Willis (1970) except where authorities are given at first mention. Structural nomenclature follows Kirkpatrick (1983).     

神农架山地河岸带中珍稀植物群落特征

以领春木(Euptelea pleiospermum)、连香树(Cercidiphyllum japonicum)为优势种的珍稀植物群落是神农架山地中海拔地段河岸带中的典型群落类型.在神农架地区4大水系(沿渡河、香溪河、南河和堵河)的河岸带中共调查了48个样地,采用植物群落学方法,分析了该区山地河岸带中珍稀植物群落特征.结果表明:(1)群落中植物种类丰富,科属组成比较分散.共记录到维管束植物749种,隶属144科412属,其中每科仅记录到1个属的有72个科,每属仅记录到1个种的有256个属.(2)在科水平上,热带、亚热带成分与温带成分所占比例几乎相同,在属水平上温带成分占主导.东亚分布成分、中国特有成分所占比例较高,共记录了6个东亚特有科、50个东亚特有属,2个中国特有科、27个中国特有属.(3)中小型草质单叶的落叶阔叶高位芽和地面芽植物是决定该珍稀植物群落外貌的主要成分.(4)群落垂直结构复杂,成层现象明显.第一乔木亚层树冠层分布不连续,第一、第二乔木亚层和灌木层从高到低郁闭度逐渐增大,草本层盖度各样地差别较大,层间植物丰富.该山地河岸带中丰富的珍稀、特有和/或孑遗植物表现出该群落的古老、孑遗性.虽然该区多数珍稀植物为温带性质,但该珍稀植物群落整体上在种类组成、区系分布、生活型谱、叶片性质等方面表现出亚热带亚高山垂直带谱上常绿落叶阔叶混交林的过渡性特征.自上而下逐渐密集的群落垂直结构为幼苗稍耐荫、成年趋于喜光的珍稀植物的不同发育阶段提供了利于其生长的光环境.特殊的地理位置、独特的地形地貌和良好的水热条件使亚热带山地河岸带成为珍稀植物(尤其是孑遗植物)就地保护中一个关键而特殊的区域.     

Plant communities,diversity and endemism of the Kula Volcano,Manisa, Turkey

Volcanoes often harbour specialized plant communities and shelter endemic plant species. Kula Volcano is one of 14 volcanoes in Turkey. Although this volcano is clearly a landmark of the Aegean region, only few botanical studies analysed the vegetation pattern at the Kula Volcano. None performed a phytosociological classification to delimit different plant communities. We applied a stratified random sampling design according to altitude and aspect and sampled 112 vegetation plots. We classified plant community types using a modified TWINSPAN analysis followed by the determination of diagnostic species based on φ coefficient fidelity values. Floristic relationships between plant community types were interpreted by ordination and ANOSIM analyses. Further, we used partial correlations of the ordination axes and environmental parameters in order to identify relationships between vegetation zonation and environment. We identified five major plant community types based on 85 diagnostic species. These plant community types were significantly correlated with altitude and aspect. Further, 13 endemic plant species were found from which one was endangered and one was classified as vulnerable according to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).     

Geomorphological disturbance affects ecological driving forces and plant turnover along an altitudinal stress gradient on alpine slopes

The altitudinal gradient is considered as a stress gradient for plant species because the development and fitness of plant communities tend to decrease as a result of the extreme environmental conditions present at high elevations. Abiotic factors are predicted to be the primary filter for species assemblage in high alpine areas, influencing biotic interactions through both competition for resources and positive interactions among species. We hypothesised that the relative importance of the ecological driving forces that affect the biotic interactions within plant communities changes along an elevation gradient on alpine debris slopes. We used multiple gradient analyses of 180 vegetation plots along an altitudinal range from ~1,600 to 2,600 m and single 100 m-bands in the Adamello-Presanella Group (Central Alps) to investigate our hypothesis; we measured multiple environmental variables related to different ecological driving forces. Our results illustrate that resource limitations at higher elevations affect not only the shift from competition to facilitation among species. A geomorphological disturbance regime along alpine slopes favours the resilience of the high-altitude species within topographic/geomorphological traps. An understanding of the ecological driving forces and positive interactions as a function of altitude may clarify the mechanisms underlying plant responses to present and future environmental changes.     

Vascular plant diversity and climate change in the alpine zone of the Snowy Mountains,Australia

This study examines vascular plant species richness along an altitudinal gradient in alpine Australia. Vascular plant composition and soil temperature records were obtained for five summits (from 1729 m to 2114 m a.s.l.) using sampling protocols from the Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments program. Species richness was examined against altitude, aspect and climatic variables at different spatial scales (10 × 10 cm quadrats, 1 m² quadrats, clusters of 4 * 1 m² quadrats, for the summit area above a line 5 m altitudinally below the summit (the −5 m isoline), for the extended summit down to the −10 m isoline). About 75 taxa (70 species, 5 graminoid genera) were recorded, 9 of which are endemic to the small alpine area of ∼100 km². There were significant linear relationships between species richness and altitude and climatic variables for the top to −5 isolines on the summits. However, there was no consistent pattern for species richness at other spatial scales, altitude, aspect or climatic variables. The proportion of species for the whole summits with localised distributions (local endemics) increased with altitude. Predicted increasing temperatures and reduced snowcover is likely to result in an increase in species richness as shrubs, herbs and introduced weeds become more common at higher altitude. Because Australian alpine areas occur in narrow altitudinal bands with no nival zone, there are no higher altitudinal refuges available for alpine species. Therefore many of these species are likely to be at risk of extinction from climate change.     

Snowbeds are more affected than other subalpine–alpine plant communities by climate change in the Swiss Alps

While the upward shift of plant species has been observed on many alpine and nival summits, the reaction of the subalpine and lower alpine plant communities to the current warming and lower snow precipitation has been little investigated so far. To this aim, 63 old, exhaustive plant inventories, distributed along a subalpine–alpine elevation gradient of the Swiss Alps and covering different plant community types (acidic and calcareous grasslands; windy ridges; snowbeds), were revisited after 25–50 years. Old and recent inventories were compared in terms of species diversity with Simpson diversity and Bray–Curtis dissimilarity indices, and in terms of community composition with principal component analysis. Changes in ecological conditions were inferred from the ecological indicator values. The alpha‐diversity increased in every plant community, likely because of the arrival of new species. As observed on mountain summits, the new species led to a homogenization of community compositions. The grasslands were quite stable in terms of species composition, whatever the bedrock type. Indeed, the newly arrived species were part of the typical species pool of the colonized community. In contrast, snowbed communities showed pronounced vegetation changes and a clear shift toward dryer conditions and shorter snow cover, evidenced by their colonization by species from surrounding grasslands. Longer growing seasons allow alpine grassland species, which are taller and hence more competitive, to colonize the snowbeds. This study showed that subalpine–alpine plant communities reacted differently to the ongoing climate changes. Lower snow/rain ratio and longer growing seasons seem to have a higher impact than warming, at least on plant communities dependent on long snow cover. Consequently, they are the most vulnerable to climate change and their persistence in the near future is seriously threatened. Subalpine and alpine grasslands are more stable, and, until now, they do not seem to be affected by a warmer climate.     

Long-term response of the plant species of four north-west caucasus alpine communities on their transfer into the new ecological conditions

Under consideration are plant species stability in respect to their occurrence in the foreign communities, and a role of abiotic factors in development of alpine comminities. The experiment was started in 1989 on Malaya Khatipara Mt (NW Caucasus) at the altitude of 2750 m. a. s.l. included reciprocal transplantation of tussock sites between four alpine communities. Significant changes in the tussock composition were observed due to better or worse acclimation of particular species, due to lost of some species, and because of invasion of aboriginal species from the surroundings into the transplanted sites. The most species involved appeared to be stable in respect to transplantations and some of them even better developed under new ecological conditions, the latter case indicating lack of coincidence of the aut- and sinecological optima.     

Species richness and species composition of fungal communities associated with cellulose decomposition at different altitudes on the Tibetan Plateau

Aims The aims of this study were to compare the fungal communities developing on cotton strips at three different altitudes on the Tibetan Plateau and to assess the environmental variables influencing them.Methods Cotton strips that had been buried in soil for a year were sampled at three sites at different altitudes (4500, 4950 and 5200 m) located on a southeast-facing slope on the Nyainqentanglha Mountains near Damxung. The fungi on the cotton strips were isolated using a modified washing method. The decomposition abilities and colony growth properties of the major species cultured in pure-culture conditions were investigated and compared. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to evaluate the relationships between fungal community composition and environmental variables (altitude, soil depth, soil water content [SWC], plant root mass and gravel content).Important findings A total of 24 species were isolated from the cotton strips, and 12 species occurred frequently and were regarded as major species. The number of fungal species was lower at the 4950-m altitude site than at the other two sites, indicating that not only altitude but also other factors affected the number of species present. All of the major species were able to decompose the cotton strips. In the CCA ordination, automatic forward selection revealed that altitude, SWC and plant root mass significantly affected fungal species composition. Our results suggest that species number and the composition of cellulolytic fungal communities are highly correlated with environmental variables as well as altitude in the alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau.     

Biodiversity and phytogeography of the alpine flora of Iran

Iran is a mountainous country. Zagros and Alborz mountains reach altitudes of more than 4,000 m. Alpine regions are above timber-line, which is not easy to recognize, since aridity is prominent in most regions. The alpine zone in Alborz lies between 3,000 and 4,000 m, the nival zone is above 4,000 m, locally varying by some hundred meters. A first evaluation of vascular flora shows that 682 species belonging to 193 genera and 39 families are known from the alpine zone of Iran. The alpine zone is commonly characterized by many species of hemicryptophytes and thorny cushions. Species numbers decline very strongly with increasing altitude. In this paper biogeographical patterns of the alpine flora of Iran have been discussed and distribution maps of 44 species are illustrated. New data indicate a transitional situation of the Iranian mountains between Anatolia/Caucasus and the Hindu Kush, but with a strong own element with high endemism and remarkable relict species. Ca. 58% of the alpine flora of Iran are endemic and subendemic. The Zagros Mountains harbor high endemism which justify considering this area as a separate floristic province. Based on the evaluation of published data from 682 known alpine species ca. 160 species have been known only by one record, 110 species by 2–3 records and 87 endemic species have been known only based on the type location. These plants need a strong conservation and protection management since the fragile ecosystems are often very restricted, small and very isolated, nonetheless grazing and overgrazing are still common threats.     

Vascular plant diversity and climate change in the alpine zone of the Lefka Ori,Crete

The aim of this study is to analyse the vascular flora and the local climate along an altitudinal gradient in the Lefka Ori massif Crete and to evaluate the potential effects of climate change on the plant diversity of the sub-alpine and alpine zones. It provides a quantitative/qualitative analysis of vegetation-environment relationships for four summits along an altitude gradient on the Lefka Ori massif Crete (1664–2339 m). The GLORIA multi-summit approach was used to provide vegetation and floristic data together with temperature records for every summit. Species richness and species turnover was calculated together with floristic similarity between the summits. 70 species were recorded, 20 of which were endemic, belonging to 23 different families. Cretan endemics dominate at these high altitudes. Species richness and turnover decreased with altitude. The two highest summits showed greater floristic similarity. Only 20% of the total flora recorded reaches the highest summit while 10% is common among summits. Overall there was a 4.96°C decrease in temperature along the 675 m gradient. Given a scenario of temperature increase the ecotone between the sub-alpine and alpine zone would be likely to have the greatest species turnover. Southern exposures are likely to be invaded first by thermophilous species while northern exposures are likely to be more resistant to changes. Species distribution shifts will also depend on habitat availability. Many, already threatened, local endemic species will be affected first.     

色季拉山区高山寒带种子植物区系研究

通过对西藏色季拉山高山寒带进行实地野外调查,鉴定统计得到种子植物285种,分属于33科103属,其中双子叶植物有26科、77属、236种,裸子植物有1科、1属、4种,中国特有植物125种。对该区域种子植物区系从科、属、种三级水平统计分析,初步探讨了其植物区系的性质和基本特点。地理成分简单,但特有现象明显,在种类上缺乏古老、原始的类型;从科、属和种的分布类型统计分析,基本上都是温带成分,反映出典型的温带区系特征和区系的年青性,因而具有高寒区系的显著特色。在区系成分中存在较多中国-喜马拉雅成分,表明了该区系具有明显的高原及高山植物区系的特色。     

高寒草地植物生存策略地理分布特征及其影响因素

植物性状能够反映植物的生存策略,是植物生态学的研究热点之一。植物CSR策略模型将植物物种分为3类:在资源丰富环境中能够最大程度提高生物量的物种(竞争型物种:C策略);在干扰频率较高的环境中能够快速摄取资源并繁殖的物种(投机取巧型物种:R策略);在资源贫瘠环境中能够保持个体生存的物种(耐受型物种:S策略)。植物叶片性状对环境梯度具有适应性的改变,性状的改变对植物生存策略产生影响,但是青藏高原植物叶片性状是如何影响植物CSR生存策略的,其机制尚不清楚。该研究探究了高寒草地植物CSR生存策略的分布特征,以及环境因子对CSR生存策略的影响机制。2020年7–8月,对青藏高原高寒草地53个样点进行了调查,测定植物叶片叶面积、叶片鲜质量和叶片干质量等性状,并计算C、S、R值。然后,分析关键地理环境要素对植物CSR策略影响的主要因子和作用机理。结果表明:(1)在青藏高原高寒草地,植物的生存策略主要以S策略(41.6%–96.7%)为主。(2)随着经度的增加,青藏高原高寒草地C策略植物所占比例自西向东逐渐上升;在海拔梯度上,高寒草地C策略植物所占比例随着海拔的升高而降低。(3)随机森林分析结果显示降水...     

山西五台山高山林线的植被景观

 过草本植物群落的分类和排序,结合对乔木和灌木分布的分析,确定了五台山高山林线的几条植被界线以及五台山森林上限附近植被的性质。结果表明：1）阳坡林线的海拔范围为2 605～2 790 m,阴坡林线的海拔范围为2 810～3 015 m;2）草本植物群落随海拔高度的变化比较明显,阴坡和阳坡从郁闭林到山顶均依次分布林下草本层、林缘草甸、亚高山灌丛草甸、高山草甸,草本植物的分布很好地体现了林线内部景观的差异性;3）海拔高度是高山林线附近草本植物群落空间分异的决定性因素。     

Stoichiometry of leaf nitrogen and phosphorus of grasslands of the Inner Mongolian and Qinghai-Tibet Plateaus in relation to climatic variables and vegetation organization levels

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are most commonly the limiting essential elements that affect the functioning of plants and ecosystems. However, their stoichiometry in relation to climatic variables and vegetation organization levels has not been comprehensively characterized. N and P concentrations were measured for 329 leaf samples collected at 132 sites along the 5000 km long China Grassland Transect that traverses the Inner Mongolian and Qinghai-Tibet Plateaus. The patterns of these measurements were analyzed with reference to climate factors, plant species, plant functional groups, grassland communities and grassland ecosystems. The aim was to explore whether geographical patterns of plant leaf elements are related to zonal climatic variables, and at which vegetation organization levels changes of plant leaf N and P stoichiometric characteristics and pattern occur. Results showed that interspecific differences of N and P concentrations were most significant for the three vegetation organization levels of species, community and ecosystem. Plant leaf N and P concentrations were higher, coefficients of variation of N and P lower, and N/P, C/N and C/P ratios were also lower for leaf samples from the cold high altitude Qinghai-Tibet Plateau than for those from the relatively lower altitude and warmer Inner Mongolian Plateau. Correlation of N and P for Inner Mongolian grassland was higher than that for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The study indicates plant species are the most basic unit influencing plant stoichiometric geographic patterns, and that climatic variables affect leaf element concentrations mainly through their effect on changes of plant species composition of vegetation.     

Phytogeographical and community similarities of alpine tundras of Changbaishan Summit,China, and Indian Peaks,USA

Abstract. We compared the diversity, phytogeography, and plant communities in two mid-latitude alpine tundras with comparable aerial and elevational extents: Changbaishan Summit in eastern Asia and Indian Peaks in western North America. Despite wide separation, the two areas shared 72 species. In all, 43% of the species on Changbaishan Summit are also distributed in the alpine zones of western North America, while 22% of the species on Indian Peaks are also distributed in the alpine zones of eastern Asia. Almost all the shared species also occur in the Beringian region. Phytogeographical profiles of species and genera showed that 69% of species and over 90% of genera in both alpine tundras belong to the three phytogeographical categories: cosmopolitan, circumpolar, and Asian-North American. We attributed the current floristic relationship between these widely separated areas to the periodic past land connection between the two continents during the Tertiary and Pleistocene. Indian Peaks has a closer floristic relationship with the Arctic tundra than does Changbaishan Summit. Indian Peaks also has 45% higher species richness and lower vegetation cover than Changbaishan Summit. Plant communities from the two areas were completely separated in the two-way indicator species analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling on floristic data at both species and generic levels, whereas ordination of communities by soil data produced a greater overlap. The plant communities on Changbaishan Summit in general have lower alpha diversity, higher beta diversity (lower between-community floristic similarity), and more rare species than does Indian Peaks. Mosaic diversity does not differ in the two alpine tundras, although the analysis suggests that Changbaishan Summit communities are more widely spaced on gradients than the Indian Peaks communities.