ALT-LAT-RANGE
Can altitudinal data predict latitudinal responses of plants to climate change?
| Coordinatore | THE UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING
Organization address
city: STIRLING contact info |
| Nazionalità Coordinatore | United Kingdom [UK] |
| Totale costo | 209˙033 € |
| EC contributo | 209˙033 € |
| Programma | FP7-PEOPLE
Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) |
| Code Call | FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF |
| Funding Scheme | MC-IEF |
| Anno di inizio | 2012 |
| Periodo (anno-mese-giorno) | 2012-04-01 - 2014-03-31 |
Partecipanti
| # | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
THE UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING
Organization address
city: STIRLING contact info |
UK (STIRLING) | coordinator | 209˙033.40 |
Mappa
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Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)
'Rapid changes in climate are predicted to disrupt the conditions which determine the distribution of species, with the most dramatic effects predicted to occur at species range edges. At the population level, such changes induce range shifts, both at altitudinal and latitudinal level. With this study, we will try: i) to determine the capacity for population expansion in altitude and latitude as a consequence of climatic change, ii) to evaluate the likely range contraction at species lowermost/southernmost distribution limits due to changes in growth and reproduction, and iii) to analyse discrepancies and similarities between altitudinal and latitudinal range shifts.'
Introduzione (Teaser)
A recent project has studied two common European tree species to see how climate change is affecting where they will grow. Both will decline in warmer areas, but land use changes complicate forecasting.
Descrizione progetto (Article)
Climate change is expected to influence species distribution, especially at the edges of their latitudinal and altitudinal ranges. In order to conserve species and predict impacts of our changing climate, scientists need to better understand these changes in distribution.
The EU-funded 'Can altitudinal data predict latitudinal responses of plants to climate change?' (ALT-LAT-RANGE) project investigated this phenomenon by studying two common European trees. Pinus sylvestris and Juniperus communis are both widely distributed European trees whose ranges are affected by climate change.
Researchers first reviewed the demographics of both species across their longitudinal and altitudinal ranges, looking for changes in growth and distribution. ALT-LAT-RANGE found that in the south, populations are being displaced up the slopes (moving toward higher altitudes); both species are also moving northward.
The project investigated physiological changes occurring in trees in response to climate change as well. This work found that trees from the southern range limit were better able to survive drier and harsher conditions. Most importantly, it also showed that, overall, species distribution is likely to move north in the decades to come.
ALT-LAT-RANGE findings will be useful to scientists and conservationists fighting to protect European species and predict impacts of climate change across Europe.