J 2024

Temperature-induced germination pulses above the alpine tree line

PALOSSE, Audrey, Alma PIERMATTEI, Jan ESPER, Frederick REINIG, Anne VERSTEGE et. al.

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

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

10500 1.5. Earth and related environmental sciences

Country of publisher

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

Impact factor

Impact factor: 2.000 in 2022

Organization unit

Faculty of Science

UT WoS

001269868100001

Keywords in English

Alpine ecology; climate change; dendrochronology; plant communities; vegetation dynamics

Tags

Tags

International impact, Reviewed
Změněno: 7/8/2024 10:36, Mgr. Marie Šípková, DiS.

Abstract

V originále

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.