Short-term effects of temperature enhancement on growth and reproduction of alpine grassland species

The Impact of Climate Change on Recent Vegetation Changes on Dovrefjell, Norway

“…In an experimental study with warming in the Alps dwarf shrubs and graminoids showed a more pronounced response than herbaceous species [58]. However, a warming and nutrient addition experiment conducted in a Dryas octopetala heath at Finse, Norway, gave contrasting results.…”

Short-term responses of Picea asperata seedlings of different ages grown in two contrasting forest ecosystems to experimental warming

“…In combination with warming effects (e.g., extended growing season, soil nutrient availability), changes in these factors may also influence the growth, photosynthetic performance of plants Kudernatsch et al, 2008). Growing season can be extended by early bud break, late dormancy, or combination.…”

“…With the temperature effects on almost all biochemical processes, projected global warming can directly affect the physiological performances and growth rates of vegetations (Llorens et al, 2004;Zhao and Liu, 2008). Moreover, global warming can also indirectly influence the plant physiological mechanisms and growth through altering the growing seasons, changing soil water content and increasing soil N turnover and availability Kudernatsch et al, 2008). Low temperatures, low nutrient availabilities and short growing season are generally considered to be the most important limiting factors controlling the performance of alpine plants (Gugerli and Bauert, 2001;Hyvönen et al, 2007).…”

The Effects of Climate Warming on Plant-Herbivore Interactions

“…Overall, warming stimulated flower and production , even in the presence of herbivores, although fruits of warmed plants tended to weigh less. Warming also reduced seed mass and increased seed number, similar responses to those reported by studies of arctic and alpine plants (Tøtland 1999, Prasad et al 2002, Kudernatsch et al 2008, although effects vary considerably among species (Williams et al 2007). Our results reinforce the pattern of direct effects of warming on plant fitness, but importantly, demonstrate that these effects are invariant to the presence or absence of insect herbivores.…”