Impacts of Climate Change on Vegetation Distribution No. 1 -- Climate Change Induced Vegetation Shifts in the Palearctic Region

Abstract

Abstract. Global average temperature has increased and precipitation pattern has altered over the past 100 years due to increases in greenhouse gases. These changes will alter numerous site factors and biochemical processes of vegetative communities such as nutrient and water availability, permafrost thawing, fire regime, biotic interactions and invasion. As a consequence, climate change is expected to alter distribution ranges of many species and communities as well as boundaries of biomes. Shifting of species and vegetation zones northwards and upwards in elevation has already been observed. Besides, several experiments have been conducted and simulations have been run all over the world in order to predict possible range shifts and ecological risks. In this paper, we review literature available in Web of Science on Europe and boreal Eurasia and give an overview of observed and predicted changes in vegetation in these regions. The main trends include advance of the tree line, reduction of the alpine vegetation belt, drought risk, forest diebacks, a shift from coniferous forests to deciduous forests and invasion. It is still controversial if species migration will be able to keep pace with climate change.

Modelling of Climate Conditions in Forest Vegetation Zones as a Support Tool for Forest Management Strategy in European Beech Dominated Forests

“…These include movement of montane forests dominated by deciduous trees towards a higher elevation, shift of montane beech-fir communities to beech communities and replacement of beech-dominated forests in highland areas by oak-hornbeam forests (especially in the northern Alps) [31]. The results of the biogeography model used in this article suggest that the strategy of sustainable forest management in the lower forest vegetation zones (1st-3rd) of the Czech Republic should focus on adjusting the tree species' composition in commercial forests (plantations) in favour of native broadleaved species, which may be less profitable but more ecologically suitable in these vegetation zones.…”

“…In forest ecosystems, the effects of climate change on a regional scale are most evident in the shift of forest vegetation zonation to higher elevations [30,31]. Nevertheless, disturbances, interspecific competition, different phenotype plasticity and various adaptations of dominant species to a particular ecosystem can all introduce considerable uncertainties into regional models of shifts in forest vegetation zones [32].…”

Ecological Responses to Climate Change at Biogeographical Boundaries

“…In the last decades, woody encroachment has been experienced globally under the effects of global warming [34][35][36] mainly because of CO 2 enrichment. Woody species which are generally superior competitors [1,37] tend to be sensitive to abiotic stress (fire, drought).…”

Introductory Chapter: The Main Directions and Tasks of Pure and Applied Biogeography in Solving the Global Problems of Our Time

“…The ecological effects of global climate change also have a significant impact on biodiversity, flora and fauna, through biogeographical patterns [28][29][30][31].…”