PALOSSE, Audrey, Alma PIERMATTEI, Jan ESPER, Frederick REINIG, Anne VERSTEGE, Max TORBENSON, Mirek TRNKA, Tito AROSIO and Ulf BÜNTGEN. Temperature-induced germination pulses above the alpine tree line. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research. Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2024, vol. 56, No 1, p. 1-11. ISSN 1523-0430. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15230430.2024.2362447.
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Basic information
Original name Temperature-induced germination pulses above the alpine tree line
Authors PALOSSE, Audrey, Alma PIERMATTEI, Jan ESPER, Frederick REINIG, Anne VERSTEGE, Max TORBENSON, Mirek TRNKA, Tito AROSIO and Ulf BÜNTGEN (276 Germany, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
Edition Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, Taylor and Francis Ltd. 2024, 1523-0430.
Other information
Original language English
Type of outcome Article in a journal
Field of Study 10500 1.5. Earth and related environmental sciences
Country of publisher United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Confidentiality degree is not subject to a state or trade secret
WWW URL
Impact factor Impact factor: 2.000 in 2022
Organization unit Faculty of Science
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15230430.2024.2362447
UT WoS 001269868100001
Keywords in English Alpine ecology; climate change; dendrochronology; plant communities; vegetation dynamics
Tags rivok
Tags International impact, Reviewed
Changed by Changed by: Mgr. Marie Šípková, DiS., učo 437722. Changed: 7/8/2024 10:36.
Abstract
Subject to a long research tradition, the tree line is considered an important biogeographic indicator of climate changes and associated range shifts. Realized tree line positions and the potential tree line isotherm are, however, rarely in equilibrium because trees are unable to track rapid temperature variations. Often ignored in tree line research, this dilemma constrains the suitability of tree line trees for understanding alpine vegetation responses to anthropogenic warming. Here, we present combined dendrochronological and wood anatomical assessments of 1,351 seedlings and saplings from three subalpine forest species—larch (Larix decidua Mill.), pine (Pinus cembra L.), and spruce (Picea abies)—collected between ~2,200 and 2,600 m.a.s.l. in the Swiss Alps. We found evidence for temperature-induced, pulse-like seedling germination, rather than a continuous, long-term upward movement. Though the species spread across overlapping elevational ranges, larch was found at the highest elevations, followed by spruce and pine. Surprisingly, we found a varying age structure, with no sign of decreasing age toward higher elevations. Spring and summer temperatures promoted germination pulses, but postgermination survival was likely facilitated by species-specific plant traits. Our study demonstrates the importance of seedling and sapling data from above the tree line to understand prevailing vegetation dynamics at cold temperature extremes and also suggests future tree line advancement in the Swiss Alps.
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