To the top or into the dark? Relationships between elevational and canopy cover distribution shifts in mountain forests

IF 5.4 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Ecography Pub Date : 2024-11-05 DOI:10.1111/ecog.07449

Lisa Samira Geres, Nico Blüthgen, Jörg Müller, Linda Seifert, Sebastian Seibold, Claus Bässler

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Abstract

Numerous studies have reported that observed species shifts in mountain areas lag behind expectations under current warming trends, however, the mechanisms remain poorly understood. One important mechanism might be microclimatic heterogeneity causing migration of species to cooler conditions under closed forest canopies, but evidence is scarce. We here compared the distributions of 710 species (11 taxonomic groups including fungi, plants, and animals) along an elevation gradient (287–1419 m a.s.l.) in a temperate low mountain range between 2006–2008 and 2016–2017 to address this open question. We characterized each species' distribution (peak and breadth) based on their abundance along two environmental gradients: elevation and canopy cover. We then analysed changes in species' distribution peaks, asking whether shifts in canopy distribution and initial distribution characteristics explain variation in elevational distribution shifts. Across all taxa, the mean shift in elevational distribution peak was + 35.3 m (i.e. upslope). Species' baseline distribution peaks were strong predictors of elevational distribution shifts with stronger upslope shifts in low‐elevation and open‐forest species. Even though we observed considerable variation in the responses among species, canopy distribution shifts had a significant negative effect on elevational distribution shifts overall and in six taxonomic groups. We suggest that this is related to cooler microclimatic conditions under closed compared to open forest canopies. Shifts to closed‐canopy forests may thus partly compensate for elevational distribution shifts, highlighting the conservation value of heterogeneous landscapes featuring microclimatic refugia. Yet, it is likely that other mechanisms, such as habitat limitation, are also at play. Future studies need to quantify the potential of microclimatic refugia under accelerating forest dynamics, considering the interplay of canopy cover and other factors driving microclimate, and to illuminate the complex climate change response mechanisms among species and taxonomic groups.

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登顶还是入暗？山地森林海拔高度与冠层覆盖分布变化之间的关系

许多研究报告称，在当前气候变暖的趋势下，山区观测到的物种迁移落后于预期，但对其机制仍然知之甚少。其中一个重要机制可能是小气候异质性导致物种迁移到封闭林冠下较凉爽的环境中，但这方面的证据很少。在此，我们比较了 2006-2008 年至 2016-2017 年间温带低山岭海拔梯度（海拔 287-1419 米）上 710 个物种（包括真菌、植物和动物在内的 11 个分类群）的分布情况，以解决这一悬而未决的问题。我们根据每个物种在海拔和树冠覆盖两个环境梯度上的丰度来描述其分布特征（峰值和广度）。然后，我们分析了物种分布峰值的变化，询问冠层分布和初始分布特征的变化是否可以解释海拔分布变化的差异。在所有分类群中，海拔分布峰值的平均移动幅度为+ 35.3米（即上坡）。物种的基线分布峰值是海拔分布移动的有力预测因素，低海拔和疏林物种的海拔分布峰值上移幅度更大。尽管我们观察到物种之间的反应存在很大差异，但树冠分布的变化对总体和六个分类群的海拔分布变化有显著的负面影响。我们认为这与郁闭森林树冠比疏林树冠更凉爽的微气候条件有关。因此，向郁闭林冠森林的迁移可能会部分补偿海拔分布的迁移，从而凸显出具有微气候庇护所特征的异质景观的保护价值。然而，栖息地限制等其他机制也可能在起作用。未来的研究需要量化微气候庇护所在加速森林动态变化下的潜力，考虑树冠覆盖和其他驱动微气候的因素之间的相互作用，并阐明物种和分类群之间复杂的气候变化响应机制。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Ecography 环境科学-生态学

CiteScore

11.60

自引率

3.40%

发文量

122

审稿时长

8-16 weeks

期刊介绍： ECOGRAPHY publishes exciting, novel, and important articles that significantly advance understanding of ecological or biodiversity patterns in space or time. Papers focusing on conservation or restoration are welcomed, provided they are anchored in ecological theory and convey a general message that goes beyond a single case study. We encourage papers that seek advancing the field through the development and testing of theory or methodology, or by proposing new tools for analysis or interpretation of ecological phenomena. Manuscripts are expected to address general principles in ecology, though they may do so using a specific model system if they adequately frame the problem relative to a generalized ecological question or problem. Purely descriptive papers are considered only if breaking new ground and/or describing patterns seldom explored. Studies focused on a single species or single location are generally discouraged unless they make a significant contribution to advancing general theory or understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes. Manuscripts merely confirming or marginally extending results of previous work are unlikely to be considered in Ecography. Papers are judged by virtue of their originality, appeal to general interest, and their contribution to new developments in studies of spatial and temporal ecological patterns. There are no biases with regard to taxon, biome, or biogeographical area.