Rapid changes in eastern Himalayan alpine flora with climate change

Abstract

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:With biodiversity and rates of climate change among the highest, the eastern Himalaya are critical for understanding the interaction of these two variables. However, there is a dearth of longitudinal data sets that address the effects of climate change on the exceptional alpine biodiversity of the Himalaya. METHODS:We established permanent alpine vegetation monitoring plots in three mountain chains of the Hengduan Mountains, the easternmost Himalaya, which have warmed 0.03-0.05°C yr −1 since 1985. Recently, we resampled plots (176 1-m 2 quadrat plots and 88 sections of 11 summits in three Hengduan mountain chains) to measure changes in vegetation after 7 years.KEY RESULTS: Over 7 years, Tibetan alpine vegetation increased in number of species (+8 species/summit; +2.3 species/m 2 ), in frequency (+47.8 plants/m 2 ), and in diversity (+1.6 effective species/m 2 ). Stepwise regressions indicated that warmer temperatures, southerly aspects, and higher elevations were associated with greater increases in these vegetation metrics. Unexpectedly, Himalayan endemic species increased (+1.4 species/m 2 ; +8.5 plants/m 2 ), especially on higher-elevation summits. In contrast, the increase in relative abundance of non-alpine species was greater at lower-elevation summits. Plants used by local Tibetans also increased (+1.3 species/m 2 ; +32 plants/m 2 ). CONCLUSIONS:As in other alpine areas, biodiversity is increasing with climate change in the Himalaya. Unlike other areas, endemic species are proliferating at the highest summits and are indicators of change.

A Humboldtian Approach to Mountain Conservation and Freshwater Ecosystem Services

“…Mountains are spatially-defined territories in which complex social-ecological systems can be explored to provide quicker answers to the impacts of global change on ecosystems worldwide (Körner et al, 2011;Encalada et al, 2019;Malanson et al, 2019;Salick et al, 2019). Mountains are home to disproportionately high levels of biological and geological diversity and species endemism (Kier et al, 2005).…”

Advances in the studies of plant diversity and ecological adaptation in the subnival ecosystem of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

“…, 可能最终 导致高山冰缘带植物多样性的急剧下降 [58] . 但是, Sal-ick等人 [59] 报道, 自2004~2011年, 青藏高原横断山区高 . 高山垫状植物对气候变化非常敏感, 而气候变暖 也可能会对垫状植物功能性状及繁殖特性等产生负面 影响 [61] .…”

Assessment of alpine summit flora in Kashmir Himalaya and its implications for long-term monitoring of climate change impacts

“…Recent reports highlight that the Himalaya is warming several times more than the global average rate, and that increases are larger at higher altitudes (ICIMOD 2007;Shrestha et al 2012;Zaz et al 2019). A rapidly warming Himalaya is predicted to increase the upper distributional limits of plant species, vegetation cover, and abundance of species adapted to a warmer climate (Salick et al 2019). While several studies have been recently conducted in alpine summits across the world, insufficient studies are available for the Himalaya.…”