The Distribution of Heracleum mantegazzianum (Somm. & Levier) near Edinburgh

Summary

The tree-lines in oceanic parts of the world may not be determined by the same factors as those in continental regions. An analysis of the tree-line in the Cairngorms and other oceanic regions suggests the importance of conditions in the winter. Although the winter may be milder than that of continental tree-lines, abrasion by wind and wind-borne material may cause damage at both the microscale and macroscale. Moreover, the combination of low solar irradiance and high wind speeds may reduce the temperature of plant tissues during the spring, summer and autumn, thus reducing the rate of growth.