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Response of Saxifraga oppositifolia L. to simulated climate change at three contrasting latitudes
Author(s) -
STENSTRÖM M.,
GUGERLI F.,
HENRY G.H.R.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
global change biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.146
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1365-2486
pISSN - 1354-1013
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2486.1997.gcb144.x
Subject(s) - phenology , biology , latitude , biological dispersal , arctic , ecology , botany , population , geography , demography , geodesy , sociology
Saxifraga oppositifolia, a widespread circum‐arctic and alpine plant species, was exposed to increased temperature at three ITEX sites of different latitudes: Val Bercla in the Swiss Alps (46°N), Latnjajaure in mid‐alpine Northern Sweden (68°N), and Alexandra Fjord, Ellesmere Island (79°N) in the Canadian High Arctic. Phenology, growth, and reproduction were monitored for 2 or 3 consecutive years. Increased temperature had little influence on the phenology of S. oppositifolia , although flowering period was somewhat longer and pollination earlier in the experimental plots. A decrease in the density of flowers on each plant was noted at two sites over 3 years, with a slightly larger decrease in the warmed plots. The few changes observed in reproductive variables (e.g. fruit : flower ratio) are mostly assigned to increased shading by taller growing neighbouring plants of other species, thus limiting performance of the shade‐intolerant S. oppositifolia . It is assumed that survival of this species, especially at the lower limits of its altitudinal and latitudinal distribution, will depend on seed dispersal to new, open habitats.