1
|
Walker XJ, Hart S, Hansen WD, Jean M, Brown CD, Stuart Chapin F, Hewitt R, Hollingsworth TN, Mack MC, Johnstone JF. Factors limiting the potential range expansion of lodgepole pine in Interior Alaska. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2024; 34:e2983. [PMID: 38840517 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the factors influencing species range limits is increasingly crucial in anticipating migrations due to human-caused climate change. In the boreal biome, ongoing climate change and the associated increases in the rate, size, and severity of disturbances may alter the distributions of boreal tree species. Notably, Interior Alaska lacks native pine, a biogeographical anomaly that carries implications for ecosystem structure and function. The current range of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) in the adjacent Yukon Territory may expand into Interior Alaska, particularly with human assistance. Evaluating the potential for pine expansion in Alaska requires testing constraints on range limits such as dispersal limitations, environmental tolerance limits, and positive or negative biotic interactions. In this study, we used field experiments with pine seeds and transplanted seedlings, complemented by model simulations, to assess the abiotic and biotic factors influencing lodgepole pine seedling establishment and growth after fire in Interior Alaska. We found that pine could successfully recruit, survive, grow, and reproduce across our broadly distributed network of experimental sites. Our results show that both mammalian herbivory and competition from native tree species are unlikely to constrain pine growth and that environmental conditions commonly found in Interior Alaska fall well within the tolerance limits for pine. If dispersal constraints are released, lodgepole pine could have a geographically expansive range in Alaska, and once established, its growth is sufficient to support pine-dominated stands. Given the impacts of lodgepole pine on ecosystem processes such as increases in timber production, carbon sequestration, landscape flammability, and reduced forage quality, natural or human-assisted migration of this species is likely to substantially alter responses of Alaskan forest ecosystems to climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xanthe J Walker
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Sarah Hart
- Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Mélanie Jean
- Département de biologie, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Carissa D Brown
- Department of Geography, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - F Stuart Chapin
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
| | - Rebecca Hewitt
- Department of Environmental Studies, Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Michelle C Mack
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Jill F Johnstone
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dial RJ, Maher CT, Hewitt RE, Wockenfuss AM, Wong RE, Crawford DJ, Zietlow MG, Sullivan PF. Arctic sea ice retreat fuels boreal forest advance. Science 2024; 383:877-884. [PMID: 38386760 DOI: 10.1126/science.adh2339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Climate-induced northward advance of boreal forest is expected to lessen albedo, alter carbon stocks, and replace tundra, but where and when this advance will occur remains largely unknown. Using data from 19 sites across 22 degrees of longitude along the tree line of northern Alaska, we show a stronger temporal correlation of tree ring growth with open water uncovered by retreating Arctic sea ice than with air temperature. Spatially, our results suggest that tree growth, recruitment, and range expansion are causally linked to open water through associated warmer temperatures, deeper snowpacks, and improved nutrient availability. We apply a meta-analysis to 82 circumarctic sites, finding that proportionally more tree lines have advanced where proximal to ongoing sea ice loss. Taken together, these findings underpin how and where changing sea ice conditions facilitate high-latitude forest advance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roman J Dial
- Institute for Culture and Environment, Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Colin T Maher
- Environment and Natural Resources Institute, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Rebecca E Hewitt
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Amy M Wockenfuss
- Institute for Culture and Environment, Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Russell E Wong
- Institute for Culture and Environment, Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Daniel J Crawford
- Environment and Natural Resources Institute, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Madeline G Zietlow
- Institute for Culture and Environment, Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Patrick F Sullivan
- Environment and Natural Resources Institute, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Frigo D, Eggertsson Ó, Prendin AL, Dibona R, Unterholzner L, Carrer M. Growth form and leaf habit drive contrasting effects of Arctic amplification in long-lived woody species. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:5896-5907. [PMID: 37526296 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Current global change is inducing heterogeneous warming trends worldwide, with faster rates at higher latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. Consequently, tundra vegetation is experiencing an increase in growth rate and uneven but expanding distribution. Yet, the drivers of this heterogeneity in woody species responses are still unclear. Here, applying a retrospective approach and focusing on long-term responses, we aim to get insight into growth trends and climate sensitivity of long-lived woody species belonging to different functional types with contrasting growth forms and leaf habits (shrub vs. tree and deciduous vs. evergreen). A total of 530 samples from 7 species (common juniper, dwarf birch, woolly willow, Norway spruce, lodgepole pine, rowan, and downy birch) were collected in 10 sites across Iceland. We modelled growth trends and contrasted yearly ring-width measurements, filtering in high- and low-frequency components, with precipitation, land- and sea-surface temperature records (1967-2018). Shrubs and trees showed divergent growth trends, with shrubs closely tracking the recent warming, whereas trees, especially broadleaved, showed strong fluctuations but no long-term growth trends. Secondary growth, particularly the high-frequency component, was positively correlated with summer temperatures for most of the species. On the contrary, growth responses to sea surface temperature, especially in the low frequency, were highly diverging between growth forms, with a strong positive association for shrubs and a negative for trees. Within comparable vegetation assemblage, long-lived woody species could show contrasting responses to similar climatic conditions. Given the predominant role of oceanic masses in shaping climate patterns in the Arctic and Low Arctic, further investigations are needed to deepen the knowledge on the complex interplay between coastal tundra ecosystems and land-sea surface temperature dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davide Frigo
- Department of Land Environment Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | | | - Angela Luisa Prendin
- Department of Land Environment Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Raffaella Dibona
- Department of Land Environment Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Unterholzner
- Department of Land Environment Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
- Chair of Forest Growth and Woody Biomass Production, TU Dresden, Tharandt, Germany
| | - Marco Carrer
- Department of Land Environment Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hewitt RE, Alexander HD, Izbicki B, Loranty MM, Natali SM, Walker XJ, Mack MC. Increasing tree density accelerates stand‐level nitrogen cycling at the taiga–tundra ecotone in northeastern Siberia. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E. Hewitt
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Department of Biological Sciences Northern Arizona University Flagstaff Arizona USA
- Department of Environmental Studies Amherst College Amherst Massachusetts USA
| | | | - Brian Izbicki
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Department of Biological Sciences Northern Arizona University Flagstaff Arizona USA
| | | | | | - Xanthe J. Walker
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Department of Biological Sciences Northern Arizona University Flagstaff Arizona USA
| | - Michelle C. Mack
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Department of Biological Sciences Northern Arizona University Flagstaff Arizona USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kruse S, Herzschuh U. Regional opportunities for tundra conservation in the next 1000 years. eLife 2022; 11:75163. [PMID: 35607894 PMCID: PMC9129881 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The biodiversity of tundra areas in northern high latitudes is threatened by invasion of forests under global warming. However, poorly understood nonlinear responses of the treeline ecotone mean the timing and extent of tundra losses are unclear, but policymakers need such information to optimize conservation efforts. Our individual-based model LAVESI, developed for the Siberian tundra-taiga ecotone, can help improve our understanding. Consequently, we simulated treeline migration trajectories until the end of the millennium, causing a loss of tundra area when advancing north. Our simulations reveal that the treeline follows climate warming with a severe, century-long time lag, which is overcompensated by infilling of stands in the long run even when temperatures cool again. Our simulations reveal that only under ambitious mitigation strategies (relative concentration pathway 2.6) will ∼30% of original tundra areas remain in the north but separated into two disjunct refugia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Kruse
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ulrike Herzschuh
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, Germany.,Institute of Environmental Sciences 6 and Geography, University of Potsdam, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.,Institute of 7 Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rogers A, Serbin SP, Way DA. Reducing model uncertainty of climate change impacts on high latitude carbon assimilation. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:1222-1247. [PMID: 34689389 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Arctic-Boreal Region (ABR) has a large impact on global vegetation-atmosphere interactions and is experiencing markedly greater warming than the rest of the planet, a trend that is projected to continue with anticipated future emissions of CO2 . The ABR is a significant source of uncertainty in estimates of carbon uptake in terrestrial biosphere models such that reducing this uncertainty is critical for more accurately estimating global carbon cycling and understanding the response of the region to global change. Process representation and parameterization associated with gross primary productivity (GPP) drives a large amount of this model uncertainty, particularly within the next 50 years, where the response of existing vegetation to climate change will dominate estimates of GPP for the region. Here we review our current understanding and model representation of GPP in northern latitudes, focusing on vegetation composition, phenology, and physiology, and consider how climate change alters these three components. We highlight challenges in the ABR for predicting GPP, but also focus on the unique opportunities for advancing knowledge and model representation, particularly through the combination of remote sensing and traditional boots-on-the-ground science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alistair Rogers
- Environmental & Climate Sciences Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
| | - Shawn P Serbin
- Environmental & Climate Sciences Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
| | - Danielle A Way
- Environmental & Climate Sciences Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Upward Treeline Shifts in Two Regions of Subarctic Russia Are Governed by Summer Thermal and Winter Snow Conditions. FORESTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/f13020174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Climate warming impacts on alpine treeline dynamics. However, we still lack robust assessments of the long-term impacts of climate on tree recruitment at the treeline, particularly in remote areas such as the subarctic regions of Russia subjected to different climate influences. We expected that the treelines in two regions may have different features and dynamics patterns. We analyzed climate variables and assessed treeline dynamics by quantifying recruitment using the tree rings of ca. 7000 trees of four species (Betula pubescens Ehrh. ssp. tortuosa, Pinus sylvestris L., Picea abies Ledeb. ssp. obovata, Larix gmelinii Rupr.) along 14 altitudinal transects (series of study plots). We compared the Khibiny Massif (Kola Peninsula) and the western Putorana Plateau, subjected to oceanic and continental influences, respectively. In both regions, summers became warmer, and winters became snowier during the past century. At the low part of the treeline ecotone, tree recruitment has slowly increased since the mid-18th century at the Putorana Plateau and the mid-19th century at the Khibiny but accelerated in the early 20th century at both regions and reached a maximum peak in the second half of the past century. Treeline encroachment intensified in the 1930s at the Khibiny and the 1950s at the Putorana Plateau. Trees encroached in the tundra leading to upward treeline shifts in the late 20th century. The slope exposure affected the rates of treeline shift with higher upward advances on southern-oriented slopes. Tree recruitment and early-winter precipitation were positively correlated. The differences in species composition, treeline altitude and influences of slope orientation on treeline dynamics can be explained primarily by differences in the degree of continentality. The abundance of saplings in both regions allows the future encroachment of trees into tundra and further treeline upward shifts to be forecast.
Collapse
|
8
|
Saleh D, Chen J, Leplé J, Leroy T, Truffaut L, Dencausse B, Lalanne C, Labadie K, Lesur I, Bert D, Lagane F, Morneau F, Aury J, Plomion C, Lascoux M, Kremer A. Genome-wide evolutionary response of European oaks during the Anthropocene. Evol Lett 2022; 6:4-20. [PMID: 35127134 PMCID: PMC8802238 DOI: 10.1002/evl3.269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The pace of tree microevolution during Anthropocene warming is largely unknown. We used a retrospective approach to monitor genomic changes in oak trees since the Little Ice Age (LIA). Allelic frequency changes were assessed from whole-genome pooled sequences for four age-structured cohorts of sessile oak (Quercus petraea) dating back to 1680, in each of three different oak forests in France. The genetic covariances of allelic frequency changes increased between successive time periods, highlighting genome-wide effects of linked selection. We found imprints of parallel linked selection in the three forests during the late LIA, and a shift of selection during more recent time periods of the Anthropocene. The changes in allelic covariances within and between forests mirrored the documented changes in the occurrence of extreme events (droughts and frosts) over the last 300 years. The genomic regions with the highest covariances were enriched in genes involved in plant responses to pathogens and abiotic stresses (temperature and drought). These responses are consistent with the reported sequence of frost (or drought) and disease damage ultimately leading to the oak dieback after extreme events. They provide support for adaptive evolution of long-lived species during recent climatic changes. Although we acknowledge that other sources (e.g., gene flow, generation overlap) may have contributed to temporal covariances of allelic frequency changes, the consistent and correlated response across the three forests lends support to the existence of a systematic driving force such as natural selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dounia Saleh
- UMR BIOGECO, INRAEUniversité de BordeauxCestas33612France
| | - Jun Chen
- College of Life SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | | | - Thibault Leroy
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity ResearchUniversity of ViennaVienna1010Austria
| | - Laura Truffaut
- UMR BIOGECO, INRAEUniversité de BordeauxCestas33612France
| | | | - Céline Lalanne
- UMR BIOGECO, INRAEUniversité de BordeauxCestas33612France
| | - Karine Labadie
- Genoscope, Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Commissariat à l’énergie atomique (CEA)Université de Paris‐SaclayEvry91057France
| | | | - Didier Bert
- UMR BIOGECO, INRAEUniversité de BordeauxCestas33612France
| | | | - François Morneau
- Département Recherche Développement InnovationOffice National des ForêtsBoigny‐Sur‐Bionne45760France,Current Address: Service de l'Information Statistique Forestière et EnvironnementaleInstitut National de l'Information géographique et ForestièreNogent‐sur‐Vernisson45290France
| | - Jean‐Marc Aury
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRSUniv Evry, Université Paris‐SaclayEvry91057France
| | | | - Martin Lascoux
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology CentreUppsala UniversityUppsalaSE‐75236Sweden
| | - Antoine Kremer
- UMR BIOGECO, INRAEUniversité de BordeauxCestas33612France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Callaghan TV, Shaduyko O, Kirpotin SN, Gordov E. Siberian environmental change: Synthesis of recent studies and opportunities for networking. AMBIO 2021; 50:2104-2127. [PMID: 34586591 PMCID: PMC8479719 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01626-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
A recent multidisciplinary compilation of studies on changes in the Siberian environment details how climate is changing faster than most places on Earth with exceptional warming in the north and increased aridity in the south. Impacts of these changes are rapid permafrost thaw and melt of glaciers, increased flooding, extreme weather events leading to sudden changes in biodiversity, increased forest fires, more insect pest outbreaks, and increased emissions of CO2 and methane. These trends interact with sociological changes leading to land-use change, globalisation of diets, impaired health of Arctic Peoples, and challenges for transport. Local mitigation and adaptation measures are likely to be limited by a range of public perceptions of climate change that vary according to personal background. However, Siberia has the possibility through land surface feedbacks to amplify or suppress climate change impacts at potentially global levels. Based on the diverse studies presented in this Ambio Special Issue, we suggest ways forward for more sustainable environmental research and management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Terry V. Callaghan
- University of Sheffield UK. University of Sheffield, Alfred Denny Building, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN UK
- Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin ave., Tomsk, Russia 634050
| | - Olga Shaduyko
- Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin ave., Tomsk, Russia 634050
| | - Sergey N. Kirpotin
- Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin ave., Tomsk, Russia 634050
- Tuvan State University, Republic of Tuva, 36 Lenina St., Kyzyl, Russia 667000
| | - Evgeny Gordov
- Institute of Monitoring of Climatic and Ecological Systems, SB RAS, 10/3 Academichesky Pr, Tomsk, Russia 634055
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Dulamsuren C, Hauck M. Drought stress mitigation by nitrogen in boreal forests inferred from stable isotopes. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:5211-5224. [PMID: 34309985 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Forest growth in most parts of the boreal zone is originally limited by low temperatures and low nitrogen availability. Due to the rapid climate warming at high latitudes, an increasing forest area is switching to drought limitation, especially in continental and southern parts of the boreal forest. Studies addressing this issue were mostly dendrochronological and remote-sensing analyses focusing on climatic effects, but not answering the question whether drought is effective alone or in combination with nitrogen shortage at limiting the forests' productivity and vitality. Here we show in a case study from larch forests of Mongolia with a combination of stable isotope analyses, tree-ring analysis and bioindication of the local variability of livestock densities using epiphytic lichens that, in the studied highly drought-prone forests at the southern fringe of the boreal forest in Inner Asia, the trees' vulnerability to drought is modified by nitrogen fertilization from livestock kept in the vicinity and the edge of the forests. The most likely mechanism behind this drought-nitrogen interaction is the reduction of stomatal conductance, which is known to be induced by low nitrogen levels in plants. Nitrogen fertilization by the livestock could, thus, shorten the times of stomatal closure and thereby increase tree growth, which we measured as radial stem increment. Even though the underlying mechanisms, which were so far examined in angiosperms, should be experimentally tested for conifers, our results indicate that focusing on water alone is not enough to understand the climate change response of drought-limited boreal forests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Markus Hauck
- Applied Vegetation Ecology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Mottl O, Flantua SGA, Bhatta KP, Felde VA, Giesecke T, Goring S, Grimm EC, Haberle S, Hooghiemstra H, Ivory S, Kuneš P, Wolters S, Seddon AWR, Williams JW. Global acceleration in rates of vegetation change over the past 18,000 years. Science 2021; 372:860-864. [PMID: 34016781 DOI: 10.1126/science.abg1685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Global vegetation over the past 18,000 years has been transformed first by the climate changes that accompanied the last deglaciation and again by increasing human pressures; however, the magnitude and patterns of rates of vegetation change are poorly understood globally. Using a compilation of 1181 fossil pollen sequences and newly developed statistical methods, we detect a worldwide acceleration in the rates of vegetation compositional change beginning between 4.6 and 2.9 thousand years ago that is globally unprecedented over the past 18,000 years in both magnitude and extent. Late Holocene rates of change equal or exceed the deglacial rates for all continents, which suggests that the scale of human effects on terrestrial ecosystems exceeds even the climate-driven transformations of the last deglaciation. The acceleration of biodiversity change demonstrated in ecological datasets from the past century began millennia ago.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Mottl
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, N-5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Suzette G A Flantua
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, N-5020 Bergen, Norway. .,Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, University of Bergen, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Kuber P Bhatta
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Vivian A Felde
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, N-5020 Bergen, Norway.,Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, University of Bergen, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Thomas Giesecke
- Department of Physical Geography, Utrecht University, 3508 TC, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Simon Goring
- Department of Geography, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Center for Climatic Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Eric C Grimm
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Simon Haberle
- Department of Archaeology and Natural History, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Henry Hooghiemstra
- Department of Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sarah Ivory
- Department of Geosciences and the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute (EESI), Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Petr Kuneš
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Steffen Wolters
- Lower Saxony Institute for Historical Coastal Research, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Alistair W R Seddon
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, N-5020 Bergen, Norway.,Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, University of Bergen, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - John W Williams
- Department of Geography, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Center for Climatic Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Liu S, Li K, Jia W, Stoof-Leichsenring KR, Liu X, Cao X, Herzschuh U. Vegetation Reconstruction From Siberia and the Tibetan Plateau Using Modern Analogue Technique–Comparing Sedimentary (Ancient) DNA and Pollen Data. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.668611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To reconstruct past vegetation from pollen or, more recently, lake sedimentary DNA (sedDNA) data is a common goal in palaeoecology. To overcome the bias of a researcher’s subjective assessment and to assign past assemblages to modern vegetation types quantitatively, the modern analogue technique (MAT) is often used for vegetation reconstruction. However, a rigorous comparison of MAT-derived pollen-based and sedDNA-based vegetation reconstruction is lacking. Here, we assess the dissimilarity between modern taxa assemblages from lake surface-sediments and fossil taxa assemblages from four lake sediment cores from the south-eastern Tibetan Plateau and northern Siberia using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, ordination methods, and Procrustes analyses. Modern sedDNA samples from 190 lakes and pollen samples from 136 lakes were collected from a variety of vegetation types. Our results show that more modern analogues are found with sedDNA than pollen when applying similarly derived thresholds. In particular, there are few modern pollen analogues for open vegetation such as alpine or arctic tundra, limiting the ability of treeline shifts to be clearly reconstructed. In contrast, the shifts in the main vegetation communities are well captured by sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA). For example, pronounced shifts from late-glacial alpine meadow/steppe to early–mid-Holocene coniferous forests to late Holocene Tibetan shrubland vegetation types are reconstructed for Lake Naleng on the south-eastern Tibetan Plateau. Procrustes and PROTEST analyses reveal that intertaxa relationships inferred from modern sedaDNA datasets align with past relationships generally, while intertaxa relationships derived from modern pollen spectra are mostly significantly different from fossil pollen relationships. Overall, we conclude that a quantitative sedaDNA-based vegetation reconstruction using MAT is more reliable than a pollen-based reconstruction, probably because of the more straightforward taphonomy that can relate sedDNA assemblages to the vegetation surrounding the lake.
Collapse
|
13
|
Nazarova LB, Frolova LA, Palagushkina OV, Rudaya NA, Syrykh LS, Grekov IM, Solovieva N, Loskutova OA. Recent shift in biological communities: A case study from the Eastern European Russian Arctic (Bol`shezemelskaya Tundra). Polar Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-021-02876-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
14
|
Schulte L, Bernhardt N, Stoof-Leichsenring K, Zimmermann HH, Pestryakova LA, Epp LS, Herzschuh U. Hybridization capture of larch (Larix Mill.) chloroplast genomes from sedimentary ancient DNA reveals past changes of Siberian forest. Mol Ecol Resour 2021; 21:801-815. [PMID: 33319428 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Siberian larch (Larix Mill.) forests dominate vast areas of northern Russia and contribute important ecosystem services to the world. It is important to understand the past dynamics of larches in order to predict their likely response to a changing climate in the future. Sedimentary ancient DNA extracted from lake sediment cores can serve as archives to study past vegetation. However, the traditional method of studying sedimentary ancient DNA-metabarcoding-focuses on small fragments, which cannot resolve Larix to species level nor allow a detailed study of population dynamics. Here, we use shotgun sequencing and hybridization capture with long-range PCR-generated baits covering the complete Larix chloroplast genome to study Larix populations from a sediment core reaching back to 6700 years from the Taymyr region in northern Siberia. In comparison with shotgun sequencing, hybridization capture results in an increase in taxonomically classified reads by several orders of magnitude and the recovery of complete chloroplast genomes of Larix. Variation in the chloroplast reads corroborates an invasion of Larix gmelinii into the range of Larix sibirica before 6700 years ago. Since then, both species have been present at the site, although larch populations have decreased with only a few trees remaining in what was once a forested area. This study demonstrates for the first time that hybridization capture applied directly to ancient DNA of plants extracted from lake sediments can provide genome-scale information and is a viable tool for studying past genomic changes in populations of single species, irrespective of a preservation as macrofossil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luise Schulte
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Forschungsstelle Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.,Institut für Biochemie and Biologie, Universität Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Nadine Bernhardt
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Forschungsstelle Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Kathleen Stoof-Leichsenring
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Forschungsstelle Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Heike H Zimmermann
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Forschungsstelle Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Luidmila A Pestryakova
- Institute of Natural Sciences, North-Eastern Federal University of Yakutsk, Yakutsk, Russia
| | - Laura S Epp
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Forschungsstelle Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ulrike Herzschuh
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Forschungsstelle Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.,Institut für Biochemie and Biologie, Universität Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.,Institut für Geowissenschaften, Universität Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Fifty Years of Change in a Coniferous Forest in the Qilian Mountains, China—Advantages of High-Definition Remote Sensing. FORESTS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/f11111188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mountain ecosystems are significantly affected by climate change. However, due to slow vegetation growth in mountain ecosystems, climate-induced vegetation shifts are difficult to detect with low-definition remote sensing images. We used high-definition remote sensing data to identify responses to climate change in a typical Picea crassifolia Kom. forest in the Qilian Mountains, China, from 1968 to 2017. We found that: (1) Picea crassifolia Kom. forests were distributed in small patches or strips on shaded and partly shaded slopes at altitudes of 2700–3250 m, (2) the number, area, and concentration of forest patches have been increasing from 1968 to 2017 in relatively flat and partly sunny areas, but the rate of area increase and ascend of the tree line slowed after 2008, and (3) the establishment of plantation forests may be one of the reasons for the changes. The scale of detected change in Picea crassifolia Kom.forest was about or slightly below 30 m, indicating that monitoring with high-resolution remote sensing data will improve detectability and accuracy.
Collapse
|
16
|
Liu S, Stoof-Leichsenring KR, Kruse S, Pestryakova LA, Herzschuh U. Holocene Vegetation and Plant Diversity Changes in the North-Eastern Siberian Treeline Region From Pollen and Sedimentary Ancient DNA. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.560243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
|
17
|
Kruse S, Kolmogorov AI, Pestryakova LA, Herzschuh U. Long-lived larch clones may conserve adaptations that could restrict treeline migration in northern Siberia. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:10017-10030. [PMID: 33005360 PMCID: PMC7520212 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of refugia beyond the arctic treeline and genetic adaptation therein play a crucial role of largely unknown effect size. While refugia have potential for rapidly colonizing the tundra under global warming, the taxa may be maladapted to the new environmental conditions. Understanding the genetic composition and age of refugia is thus crucial for predicting any migration response. Here, we genotype 194 larch individuals from an ~1.8 km2 area in northcentral Siberia on the southern Taimyr Peninsula by applying an assay of 16 nuclear microsatellite markers. For estimating the age of clonal individuals, we counted tree rings at sections along branches to establish a lateral growth rate that was then combined with geographic distance. Findings reveal that the predominant reproduction type is clonal (58.76%) by short distance spreading of ramets. One outlier of clones 1 km apart could have been dispersed by reindeer. In clonal groups and within individuals, we find that somatic mutations accumulate with geographic distance. Clonal groups of two or more individuals are observed. Clonal age estimates regularly suggest individuals as old as 2,200 years, which coincides with a major environmental change that forced a treeline retreat in the region. We conclude that individuals with clonal growth mode were naturally selected as it lowers the likely risk of extinction under a harsh environment. We discuss this legacy from the past that might now be a maladaptation and hinder expansion under currently strongly increasing temperatures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Kruse
- Polar Terrestrial Environmental SystemsAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine ResearchPotsdamGermany
| | - Aleksey I. Kolmogorov
- Institute of Natural SciencesNorth‐Eastern Federal University of YakutskYakutskRussia
| | | | - Ulrike Herzschuh
- Polar Terrestrial Environmental SystemsAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine ResearchPotsdamGermany
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and GeographyUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
- Institute of Biology and BiochemistryUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Dynamics and Drivers of the Alpine Timberline on Gongga Mountain of Tibetan Plateau-Adopted from the Otsu Method on Google Earth Engine. REMOTE SENSING 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/rs12162651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The alpine timberline, an ecosystem ecotone, indicates climatic change and is tending to shift toward higher altitudes because of an increase in global warming. However, spatiotemporal variations of the alpine timberline are not consistent on a global scale. The abundant and highest alpine timberline, located on the Tibetan Plateau, is less subject to human activity and disturbance. Although many studies have investigated the alpine timberline on the Tibetan Plateau, large-scale monitoring of spatial-temporal dynamics and driving mechanisms of the alpine timberline remain uncertain and inaccurate. Hence, the Gongga Mountain on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau was chosen as the study area because of the most complete natural altitudinal zonation. We used the Otsu method on Google Earth Engine to extract the alpine timberline from 1987–2019 based on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Then, the alpine timberline spatiotemporal patterns and the effect of topography on alpine timberline distribution were explored. Four hillsides on the western Gongga Mountain were selected to examine the hillside differences and drivers of the alpine timberline based on principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple linear regression (MLR). The results indicated that the elevation range of alpine timberline was 3203–4889 m, and the vegetation coverage increased significantly (p < 0.01) near the alpine timberline ecotone on Gongga Mountain. Moreover, there was spatial heterogeneity in dynamics of alpine timberline, and some regions showed no regular trend in variations. The spatial pattern of the alpine timberline was generally high in the west, low in the east, and primarily distributed on 15–55° slopes. Besides, the drivers of the alpine timberline have the hillside differences, and the sunny and shady slopes possessed different driving factors. Thus, our results highlight the effects of topography and climate on the alpine timberline on different hillsides. These findings could provide a better approach to study the dynamics and formation of alpine timberlines.
Collapse
|
19
|
Kremer A, Hipp AL. Oaks: an evolutionary success story. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 226:987-1011. [PMID: 31630400 PMCID: PMC7166131 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The genus Quercus is among the most widespread and species-rich tree genera in the northern hemisphere. The extraordinary species diversity in America and Asia together with the continuous continental distribution of a limited number of European species raise questions about how macro- and microevolutionary processes made the genus Quercus an evolutionary success. Synthesizing conclusions reached during the past three decades by complementary approaches in phylogenetics, phylogeography, genomics, ecology, paleobotany, population biology and quantitative genetics, this review aims to illuminate evolutionary processes leading to the radiation and expansion of oaks. From opposing scales of time and geography, we converge on four overarching explanations of evolutionary success in oaks: accumulation of large reservoirs of diversity within populations and species; ability for rapid migration contributing to ecological priority effects on lineage diversification; high rates of evolutionary divergence within clades combined with convergent solutions to ecological problems across clades; and propensity for hybridization, contributing to adaptive introgression and facilitating migration. Finally, we explore potential future research avenues, emphasizing the integration of microevolutionary and macroevolutionary perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Kremer
- BIOGECO, INRA, Université de Bordeaux, 69 Route
d'Arcachon, 33612 Cestas, France
| | - Andrew L. Hipp
- The Morton Arboretum, Lisle IL 60532-1293, USA
- The Field Museum, Chicago IL 60605, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Liu Y, Xue Y. Expansion of the Sahara Desert and shrinking of frozen land of the Arctic. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4109. [PMID: 32139761 PMCID: PMC7057959 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61085-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Expansion of the Sahara Desert (SD) and greening of the Arctic tundra-glacier region (ArcTG) have been hot subjects under extensive investigations. However, quantitative and comprehensive assessments of the landform changes in these regions are lacking. Here we use both observations and climate-ecosystem models to quantify/project changes in the extents and boundaries of the SD and ArcTG based on climate and vegetation indices. It is found that, based on observed climate indices, the SD expands 8% and the ArcTG shrinks 16% during 1950-2015, respectively. SD southern boundaries advance 100 km southward, and ArcTG boundaries are displaced about 50 km poleward in 1950-2015. The simulated trends based on climate and vegetation indices show consistent results with some differences probably due to missing anthropogenic forcing and two-way vegetation-climate feedback effect in simulations. The projected climate and vegetation indices show these trends will continue in 2015-2050.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Liu
- University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yongkang Xue
- University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Harrison S. Plant community diversity will decline more than increase under climatic warming. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190106. [PMID: 31983333 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regions and localities may lose many species to extinction under rapid climate change and may gain other species that colonize from nearby warmer environments. Here, it is argued that warming-induced species losses will generally exceed gains and there will be more net declines than net increases in plant community richness. Declines in richness are especially likely in water-limited climates where intensifying aridity will increasingly exceed plant tolerances, but also in colder temperature-limited climates where steep climatic gradients are lacking, and therefore, large pools of appropriate species are not immediately adjacent. The selectivity of warming-induced losses may lead to declines in functional and phylogenetic diversity as well as in species richness, especially in water-limited climates. Our current understanding of climate-caused diversity trends may be overly influenced by numerous studies coming from north-temperate alpine mountaintops, where conditions are unusually favourable for increases-possibly temporary-in local species richness. This article is part of the theme issue 'Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Harrison
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Abstract
Elevational and polar treelines have been studied for more than two centuries. The aim of the present article is to highlight in retrospect the scope of treeline research, scientific approaches and hypotheses on treeline causation, its spatial structures and temporal change. Systematic treeline research dates back to the end of the 19th century. The abundance of global, regional, and local studies has provided a complex picture of the great variety and heterogeneity of both altitudinal and polar treelines. Modern treeline research started in the 1930s, with experimental field and laboratory studies on the trees’ physiological response to the treeline environment. During the following decades, researchers’ interest increasingly focused on the altitudinal and polar treeline dynamics to climate warming since the Little Ice Age. Since the 1970s interest in treeline dynamics again increased and has considerably intensified from the 1990s to today. At the same time, remote sensing techniques and GIS application have essentially supported previous analyses of treeline spatial patterns and temporal variation. Simultaneously, the modelling of treeline has been rapidly increasing, often related to the current treeline shift and and its implications for biodiversity, and the ecosystem function and services of high-elevation forests. It appears, that many seemingly ‘new ideas’ already originated many decades ago and just confirm what has been known for a long time. Suggestions for further research are outlined.
Collapse
|
23
|
Climate Prediction of Satellite-Based Spring Eurasian Vegetation Index (NDVI) using Coupled Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) Patterns. REMOTE SENSING 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/rs11182123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Satellite-based normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data are widely used for estimating vegetation greenness. Seasonal climate predictions of spring (April–May–June) NDVI over Eurasia are explored by applying the year-to-year increment approach. The prediction models were developed based on the coupled modes of singular value decomposition (SVD) analyses between Eurasian NDVI and climate factors. One synchronous predictor, the spring surface air temperature from the NCEP’s Climate Forecast System (SAT-CFS), and three previous-season predictors (winter (December–January–February) sea-ice cover over the Barents Sea (SICBS), winter sea surface temperature over the equatorial Pacific (SSTP), and winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) were chosen to develop four single-predictor schemes: the SAT-CFS scheme, SICBS scheme, SSTP scheme, and NAO scheme. Meanwhile, a statistical scheme that involves the three previous-season predictors (i.e., SICBS, SSTP, and NAO) and a hybrid scheme that includes all four predictors are also proposed. To evaluate the prediction skills of the schemes, one-year-out cross-validation and independent hindcast results are analyzed, revealing the hybrid scheme as having the best prediction skill. The results indicate that the temporal correlation coefficients at 92% of grid points over Eurasia are significant at the 5% significance level in the hybrid scheme, which is the best among all the schemes. Furthermore, spatial correlation coefficients (SCCs) of the six schemes are significant at the 1% significance level in most years during 1983–2015, with the averaged SCC of the hybrid scheme being the highest (0.60). The grid-averaged root-mean-square-error of the hybrid scheme is 0.04. By comparing the satellite-based NDVI value with the independent hindcast results during 2010–2015, it can be concluded that the hybrid scheme shows high prediction skill in terms of both the spatial pattern and the temporal variability of spring Eurasian NDVI.
Collapse
|
24
|
Zimmermann HH, Harms L, Epp LS, Mewes N, Bernhardt N, Kruse S, Stoof-Leichsenring KR, Pestryakova LA, Wieczorek M, Trense D, Herzschuh U. Chloroplast and mitochondrial genetic variation of larches at the Siberian tundra-taiga ecotone revealed by de novo assembly. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216966. [PMID: 31291259 PMCID: PMC6619608 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Larix populations at the tundra-taiga ecotone in northern Siberia are highly under-represented in population genetic studies, possibly due to the remoteness of these regions that can only be accessed at extraordinary expense. The genetic signatures of populations in these boundary regions are therefore largely unknown. We aim to generate organelle reference genomes for the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that can be used for paleogenetic studies. We present 19 complete chloroplast genomes and mitochondrial genomic sequences of larches from the southern lowlands of the Taymyr Peninsula (northernmost range of Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Kuzen.), the lower Omoloy River, and the lower Kolyma River (both in the range of Larix cajanderi Mayr). The genomic data reveal 84 chloroplast SNPs and 213 putatively mitochondrial SNPs. Parsimony-based chloroplast haplotype networks show no spatial structure of individuals from different geographic origins, while the mitochondrial haplotype network shows at least a slight spatial structure with haplotypes from the Omoloy and Kolyma populations being more closely related to each other than to most of the haplotypes from the Taymyr populations. Whole genome alignments with publicly available complete chloroplast genomes of different Larix species show that among official plant barcodes only the rcbL gene contains sufficient polymorphisms, but has to be sequenced completely to distinguish the different provenances. We provide 8 novel mitochondrial SNPs that are putatively diagnostic for the separation of L. gmelinii and L. cajanderi, while 4 chloroplast SNPs have the potential to distinguish the L. gmelinii/L. cajanderi group from other Larix species. Our organelle references can be used for a targeted primer and probe design allowing the generation of short amplicons. This is particularly important with regard to future investigations of, for example, the biogeographic history of Larix by screening ancient sedimentary DNA of Larix.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Chromosome Mapping
- DNA, Ancient
- DNA, Chloroplast/genetics
- DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics
- DNA, Plant/genetics
- Genetic Variation
- Genetics, Population
- Genome, Chloroplast
- Genome, Mitochondrial
- Genome, Plant
- Haplotypes
- History, Ancient
- Larix/classification
- Larix/genetics
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Siberia
- Taiga
- Tundra
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heike H. Zimmermann
- Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems Research Group, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- * E-mail: (HHZ); (UH)
| | - Lars Harms
- Scientific Computing, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Laura S. Epp
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Nick Mewes
- Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems Research Group, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Nadine Bernhardt
- Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems Research Group, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Stefan Kruse
- Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems Research Group, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Kathleen R. Stoof-Leichsenring
- Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems Research Group, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - Mareike Wieczorek
- Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems Research Group, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Daronja Trense
- Institute for Integrated Natural Sciences, Biology, Koblenz-Landau University, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Ulrike Herzschuh
- Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems Research Group, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Geography, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- * E-mail: (HHZ); (UH)
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Cazzolla Gatti R, Callaghan T, Velichevskaya A, Dudko A, Fabbio L, Battipaglia G, Liang J. Accelerating upward treeline shift in the Altai Mountains under last-century climate change. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7678. [PMID: 31118471 PMCID: PMC6531548 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44188-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Treeline shift and tree growth often respond to climatic changes and it is critical to identify and quantify their dynamics. Some regions are particularly sensitive to climate change and the Altai Mountains, located in Central and East Asia, are showing unequivocal signs. The mean annual temperature in the area has increased by 1.3-1.7 °C in the last century. As this mountain range has ancient and protected forests on alpine slopes, we focus on determining the treeline structure and dynamics. We integrated in situ fine-scale allometric data with analyses from dendrochronological samples, high-resolution 3D drone photos and new satellite images to study the dynamics and underlying causal mechanisms of any treeline movement and growth changes in a remote preserved forest at the Aktru Research Station in the Altai Mountain. We show that temperature increase has a negative effect on mountain tree growth. In contrast, only younger trees grow at higher altitudes and we document a relatively fast upward shift of the treeline. During the last 52 years, treeline moved about 150 m upward and the rate of movement accelerated until recently. Before the 1950s, it never shifted over 2150-2200 m a.s.l. We suggest that a continuous upward expansion of the treeline would be at the expense of meadow and shrub species and radically change this high-mountain ecosystem with its endemic flora. This documented treeline shift represents clear evidence of the increased velocity of climate change during the last century.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Cazzolla Gatti
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA.
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia.
| | - Terry Callaghan
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | | | - Luca Fabbio
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (DBGES), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanna Battipaglia
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Jingjing Liang
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Finsinger W, Schwörer C, Heiri O, Morales-Molino C, Ribolini A, Giesecke T, Haas JN, Kaltenrieder P, Magyari EK, Ravazzi C, Rubiales JM, Tinner W. Fire on ice and frozen trees? Inappropriate radiocarbon dating leads to unrealistic reconstructions. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2019; 222:657-662. [PMID: 30019412 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Walter Finsinger
- Palaeoecology, ISEM, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ. Montpellier, F-34095, Montpellier, France
| | - Christoph Schwörer
- Institute of Plant Sciences and Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, CH-3013, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Heiri
- Institute of Plant Sciences and Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, CH-3013, Bern, Switzerland
| | - César Morales-Molino
- Institute of Plant Sciences and Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, CH-3013, Bern, Switzerland
- Palaeoclimate, EPOC (UMR 5805 CNRS/University of Bordeaux), University of Bordeaux, F-33615, Pessac, France
| | - Adriano Ribolini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Thomas Giesecke
- Department of Palynology and Climate Dynamics, University of Göttingen, Wilhelm-Weber-Str. 2a, D-37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jean Nicolas Haas
- Institute of Botany, Division of Systematics, Palynology and Geobotany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Petra Kaltenrieder
- Institute of Plant Sciences and Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, CH-3013, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Enikő K Magyari
- MTA-MTM-ELTE Research Group for Paleontology and Department of Environmental and Landscape Geography, Eötvös Lóránd University, Pázmány Péter stny. 1/C, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Cesare Ravazzi
- CNR - Institute for the Dynamics of Environmental Processes, U1 - DISAT - Università Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, I-20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Juan Manuel Rubiales
- Departamento de Sistemas y Recursos Naturales, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Montes, Forestal y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, E-28040, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, C/José Antonio Novais, E-28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Willy Tinner
- Institute of Plant Sciences and Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, CH-3013, Bern, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Noce S, Caporaso L, Santini M. Climate Change and Geographic Ranges: The Implications for Russian Forests. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
|
28
|
Epp LS, Kruse S, Kath NJ, Stoof-Leichsenring KR, Tiedemann R, Pestryakova LA, Herzschuh U. Temporal and spatial patterns of mitochondrial haplotype and species distributions in Siberian larches inferred from ancient environmental DNA and modeling. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17436. [PMID: 30498238 PMCID: PMC6265258 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35550-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in species' distributions are classically projected based on their climate envelopes. For Siberian forests, which have a tremendous significance for vegetation-climate feedbacks, this implies future shifts of each of the forest-forming larch (Larix) species to the north-east. However, in addition to abiotic factors, reliable projections must assess the role of historical biogeography and biotic interactions. Here, we use sedimentary ancient DNA and individual-based modelling to investigate the distribution of larch species and mitochondrial haplotypes through space and time across the treeline ecotone on the southern Taymyr peninsula, which at the same time presents a boundary area of two larch species. We find spatial and temporal patterns, which suggest that forest density is the most influential driver determining the precise distribution of species and mitochondrial haplotypes. This suggests a strong influence of competition on the species' range shifts. These findings imply possible climate change outcomes that are directly opposed to projections based purely on climate envelopes. Investigations of such fine-scale processes of biodiversity change through time are possible using paleoenvironmental DNA, which is available much more readily than visible fossils and can provide information at a level of resolution that is not reached in classical palaeoecology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura S Epp
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research Section, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Stefan Kruse
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research Section, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Nadja J Kath
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research Section, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473, Potsdam, Germany
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Kathleen R Stoof-Leichsenring
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research Section, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ralph Tiedemann
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Luidmila A Pestryakova
- Department for Geography and Biology, North-Eastern Federal University of Yakutsk, Belinskogo 58, 67700, Yakutsk, Russia
| | - Ulrike Herzschuh
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research Section, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473, Potsdam, Germany
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Du H, Liu J, Li MH, Büntgen U, Yang Y, Wang L, Wu Z, He HS. Warming-induced upward migration of the alpine treeline in the Changbai Mountains, northeast China. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2018; 24:1256-1266. [PMID: 29080270 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Treeline responses to environmental changes describe an important phenomenon in global change research. Often conflicting results and generally too short observations are, however, still challenging our understanding of climate-induced treeline dynamics. Here, we use a state-of-the-art dendroecological approach to reconstruct long-term changes in the position of the alpine treeline in relation to air temperature at two sides in the Changbai Mountains in northeast China. Over the past 160 years, the treeline increased by around 80 m, a process that can be divided into three phases of different rates and drives. The first phase was mainly influenced by vegetation recovery after an eruption of the Tianchi volcano in 1702. The slowly upward shift in the second phase was consistent with the slowly increasing temperature. The last phase coincided with rapid warming since 1985, and shows with 33 m per 1°C, the most intense upward shift. The spatial distribution and age structure of trees beyond the current treeline confirm the latest, warming-induced upward shift. Our results suggest that the alpine treeline will continue to rise, and that the alpine tundra may disappear if temperatures will increase further. This study not only enhances mechanistic understanding of long-term treeline dynamics, but also highlights the effects of rising temperatures on high-elevation vegetation dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Du
- School of Geographical Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Jie Liu
- School of Geographical Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Mai-He Li
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Ulf Büntgen
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Geography, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Global Change Research Institute CAS, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Yue Yang
- School of Geographical Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Geographical Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Zhengfang Wu
- School of Geographical Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Hong S He
- School of Geographical Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Smithers BV, North MP, Millar CI, Latimer AM. Leap frog in slow motion: Divergent responses of tree species and life stages to climatic warming in Great Basin subalpine forests. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2018; 24:e442-e457. [PMID: 28850759 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In response to climate warming, subalpine treelines are expected to move up in elevation since treelines are generally controlled by growing season temperature. Where treeline is advancing, dispersal differences and early life stage environmental tolerances are likely to affect how species expand their ranges. Species with an establishment advantage will colonize newly available habitat first, potentially excluding species that have slower establishment rates. Using a network of plots across five mountain ranges, we described patterns of upslope elevational range shift for the two dominant Great Basin subalpine species, limber pine and Great Basin bristlecone pine. We found that the Great Basin treeline for these species is expanding upslope with a mean vertical elevation shift of 19.1 m since 1950, which is lower than what we might expect based on temperature increases alone. The largest advances were on limber pine-dominated granitic soils, on west aspects, and at lower latitudes. Bristlecone pine juveniles establishing above treeline share some environmental associations with bristlecone adults. Limber pine above-treeline juveniles, in contrast, are prevalent across environmental conditions and share few environmental associations with limber pine adults. Strikingly, limber pine is establishing above treeline throughout the region without regard to site characteristic such as soil type, slope, aspect, or soil texture. Although limber pine is often rare at treeline where it coexists with bristlecone pine, limber pine juveniles dominate above treeline even on calcareous soils that are core bristlecone pine habitat. Limber pine is successfully "leap-frogging" over bristlecone pine, probably because of its strong dispersal advantage and broader tolerances for establishment. This early-stage dominance indicates the potential for the species composition of treeline to change in response to climate change. More broadly, it shows how species differences in dispersal and establishment may result in future communities with very different specific composition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian V Smithers
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Malcolm P North
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Constance I Millar
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Albany, CA, USA
| | - Andrew M Latimer
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
|
32
|
Ratcliffe JL, Creevy A, Andersen R, Zarov E, Gaffney PPJ, Taggart MA, Mazei Y, Tsyganov AN, Rowson JG, Lapshina ED, Payne RJ. Ecological and environmental transition across the forested-to-open bog ecotone in a west Siberian peatland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 607-608:816-828. [PMID: 28711843 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Climate change may cause increasing tree cover in boreal peatlands, and the impacts of this encroachment will be noted first at forested-to-open bog ecotones. We investigate key metrics of ecosystem function in five such ecotones at a peatland complex in Western Siberia. Stratigraphic analysis of three cores from one of these transects shows that the ecotone has been dynamic over time with evidence for recent expansion of forested peatland. We observed that the two alternative states for northern boreal peatlands (forested/open) clearly support distinct plant and microbial communities. These in turn drive and respond to a number of feedback mechanisms. This has led to steep ecological gradients across the ecotones. Tree cover was associated with lower water tables and pH, along with higher bulk density, aquatic carbon concentrations, and electrical conductivity. We propose that the conditions found in the forested peatland of Western Siberia make the carbon sink more vulnerable to warmer and drier conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua L Ratcliffe
- Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College, University of the Highlands and Islands, Castle Street, Thurso, Caithness KW14 7JD, Scotland, United Kingdom; Science & Engineering, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
| | - Angela Creevy
- Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College, University of the Highlands and Islands, Castle Street, Thurso, Caithness KW14 7JD, Scotland, United Kingdom; Geography, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4QP, United Kingdom
| | - Roxane Andersen
- Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College, University of the Highlands and Islands, Castle Street, Thurso, Caithness KW14 7JD, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Evgeny Zarov
- Center for Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change, Yugra State University, Chekhova str. 16, Khanty-Mansiysk 628012, Russia
| | - Paul P J Gaffney
- Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College, University of the Highlands and Islands, Castle Street, Thurso, Caithness KW14 7JD, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A Taggart
- Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College, University of the Highlands and Islands, Castle Street, Thurso, Caithness KW14 7JD, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Yuri Mazei
- Department of Zoology and Ecology, Penza State University, Krasnaya str. 40, 440026 Penza, Russia; Department of Hydrobiology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory 1, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Andrey N Tsyganov
- Department of Zoology and Ecology, Penza State University, Krasnaya str. 40, 440026 Penza, Russia
| | - James G Rowson
- Geography, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4QP, United Kingdom
| | - Elena D Lapshina
- Center for Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change, Yugra State University, Chekhova str. 16, Khanty-Mansiysk 628012, Russia
| | - Richard J Payne
- Department of Zoology and Ecology, Penza State University, Krasnaya str. 40, 440026 Penza, Russia; Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Zimmermann HH, Raschke E, Epp LS, Stoof-Leichsenring KR, Schirrmeister L, Schwamborn G, Herzschuh U. The History of Tree and Shrub Taxa on Bol'shoy Lyakhovsky Island (New Siberian Archipelago) since the Last Interglacial Uncovered by Sedimentary Ancient DNA and Pollen Data. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:E273. [PMID: 29027988 PMCID: PMC5664123 DOI: 10.3390/genes8100273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecosystem boundaries, such as the Arctic-Boreal treeline, are strongly coupled with climate and were spatially highly dynamic during past glacial-interglacial cycles. Only a few studies cover vegetation changes since the last interglacial, as most of the former landscapes are inundated and difficult to access. Using pollen analysis and sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) metabarcoding, we reveal vegetation changes on Bol'shoy Lyakhovsky Island since the last interglacial from permafrost sediments. Last interglacial samples depict high levels of floral diversity with the presence of trees (Larix, Picea, Populus) and shrubs (Alnus, Betula, Ribes, Cornus, Saliceae) on the currently treeless island. After the Last Glacial Maximum, Larix re-colonised the island but disappeared along with most shrub taxa. This was probably caused by Holocene sea-level rise, which led to increased oceanic conditions on the island. Additionally, we applied two newly developed larch-specific chloroplast markers to evaluate their potential for tracking past population dynamics from environmental samples. The novel markers were successfully re-sequenced and exhibited two variants of each marker in last interglacial samples. SedaDNA can track vegetation changes as well as genetic changes across geographic space through time and can improve our understanding of past processes that shape modern patterns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heike H Zimmermann
- Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research Unit, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany.
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
| | - Elena Raschke
- Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research Unit, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Laura S Epp
- Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research Unit, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Kathleen R Stoof-Leichsenring
- Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research Unit, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Lutz Schirrmeister
- Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research Unit, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Georg Schwamborn
- Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research Unit, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Ulrike Herzschuh
- Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research Unit, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany.
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
- Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Arctic cryosphere and Milankovitch forcing of Great Basin paleoclimate. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12955. [PMID: 29021632 PMCID: PMC5636905 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13279-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Great Basin paleoclimate history has been examined for more than a century, the orbital-scale paleoclimate forcings remain poorly understood. Here we show – by a detailed phasing analysis of a well-dated stalagmite δ18O time series – that Great Basin paleoclimate is linearly related to, but lagged, the 23,000 yr precession cycle in northern hemisphere summer insolation by an average of 3240 years (−900 to 6600 yr range) over the last two glacial cycles. We interpret these lags as indicating that Great Basin climate is sensitive to and indirectly forced by changes in the cryosphere, as evidenced by fast and strong linkages to global ice volume and Arctic paleoclimate indicators. Mid-latitude atmospheric circulation was likely impacted by a northward shifted storm track and higher pressure over the region arising from decreased sea ice and snow cover. Because anthropogenic warming is expected to reduce northern hemisphere snow and ice cover, continued increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases is likely to result in warming and drying over coming centuries that will amplify a warming trend that began ~2400 years ago.
Collapse
|
35
|
Tian L, Chen J, Zhang Y. Growing season carries stronger contributions to albedo dynamics on the Tibetan plateau. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180559. [PMID: 28886037 PMCID: PMC5590739 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Tibetan Plateau has experienced higher-than-global-average climate warming in recent decades, resulting in many significant changes in ecosystem structure and function. Among them is albedo, which bridges the causes and consequences of land surface processes and climate. The plateau is covered by snow/ice and vegetation in the non-growing season (nGS) and growing season (GS), respectively. Based on the MODIS products, we investigated snow/ice cover and vegetation greenness in relation to the spatiotemporal changes of albedo on the Tibetan Plateau from 2000 through 2013. A synchronous relationship was found between the change in GSNDVI and GSalbedo over time and across the Tibetan landscapes. We found that the annual average albedo had a decreasing trend, but that the albedo had slightly increased during the nGS and decreased during the GS. Across the landscapes, the nGSalbedo fluctuated in a synchronous pattern with snow/ice cover. Temporally, monthly snow/ice coverage also had a high correspondence with albedo, except in April and October. We detected clear dependencies of albedo on elevation. With the rise in altitude, the nGSalbedo decreased below 4000 m, but increased for elevations of 4500-5500 m. Above 5500 m, the nGSalbedo decreased, which was in accordance with the decreased amount of snow/ice coverage and the increased soil moisture on the plateau. More importantly, the decreasing albedo in the most recent decade appeared to be caused primarily by lowered growing season albedo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Tian
- Qianyanzhou Ecological Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Lhasa station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modelling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Jiquan Chen
- CGCEO and Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Yangjian Zhang
- Lhasa station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modelling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Wieczorek M, Kruse S, Epp LS, Kolmogorov A, Nikolaev AN, Heinrich I, Jeltsch F, Pestryakova LA, Zibulski R, Herzschuh U. Dissimilar responses of larch stands in northern Siberia to increasing temperatures-a field and simulation based study. Ecology 2017; 98:2343-2355. [PMID: 28475233 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Arctic and alpine treelines worldwide differ in their reactions to climate change. A northward advance of or densification within the treeline ecotone will likely influence climate-vegetation feedback mechanisms. In our study, which was conducted in the Taimyr Depression in the North Siberian Lowlands, w present a combined field- and model-based approach helping us to better understand the population processes involved in the responses of the whole treeline ecotone, spanning from closed forest to single-tree tundra, to climate warming. Using information on stand structure, tree age, and seed quality and quantity from seven sites, we investigate effects of intra-specific competition and seed availability on the specific impact of recent climate warming on larch stands. Field data show that tree density is highest in the forest-tundra, and average tree size decreases from closed forest to single-tree tundra. Age-structure analyses indicate that the trees in the closed forest and forest-tundra have been present for at least ~240 yr. At all sites except the most southerly ones, past establishment is positively correlated with regional temperature increase. In the single-tree tundra, however, a change in growth form from krummholz to erect trees, beginning ~130 yr ago, rather than establishment date has been recorded. Seed mass decreases from south to north, while seed quantity increases. Simulations with LAVESI (Larix Vegetation Simulator) further suggest that relative density changes strongly in response to a warming signal in the forest-tundra while intra-specific competition limits densification in the closed forest and seed limitation hinders densification in the single-tree tundra. We find striking differences in strength and timing of responses to recent climate warming. While forest-tundra stands recently densified, recruitment is almost non-existent at the southern and northern end of the ecotone due to autecological processes. Palaeo-treelines may therefore be inappropriate to infer past temperature changes at a fine scale. Moreover, a lagged treeline response to past warming will, via feedback mechanisms, influence climate change in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Wieczorek
- Periglacial Research Section, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, 14473, Germany.,Institute of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
| | - Stefan Kruse
- Periglacial Research Section, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, 14473, Germany.,Institute of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
| | - Laura S Epp
- Periglacial Research Section, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, 14473, Germany
| | - Alexei Kolmogorov
- Institute of Natural Sciences, North-Eastern Federal University of Yakutsk, Yakutsk, 677000, Russia
| | - Anatoly N Nikolaev
- Institute of Natural Sciences, North-Eastern Federal University of Yakutsk, Yakutsk, 677000, Russia.,Melnikov Institute of Permafrost SB RAS, Yakutsk, 677000, Russia
| | - Ingo Heinrich
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, Potsdam, 14473, Germany
| | - Florian Jeltsch
- Department of Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, 14467, Germany.,Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, D-14195, Germany.,ZALF, Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Eberswalder Str. 84, Müncheberg, D-15374, Germany
| | - Lyudmila A Pestryakova
- Institute of Natural Sciences, North-Eastern Federal University of Yakutsk, Yakutsk, 677000, Russia
| | - Romy Zibulski
- Periglacial Research Section, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, 14473, Germany
| | - Ulrike Herzschuh
- Periglacial Research Section, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, 14473, Germany.,Institute of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Pellizzari E, Camarero JJ, Gazol A, Granda E, Shetti R, Wilmking M, Moiseev P, Pividori M, Carrer M. Diverging shrub and tree growth from the Polar to the Mediterranean biomes across the European continent. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:3169-3180. [PMID: 27885769 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Climate warming is expected to enhance productivity and growth of woody plants, particularly in temperature-limited environments at the northernmost or uppermost limits of their distribution. However, this warming is spatially uneven and temporally variable, and the rise in temperatures differently affects biomes and growth forms. Here, applying a dendroecological approach with generalized additive mixed models, we analysed how the growth of shrubby junipers and coexisting trees (larch and pine species) responds to rising temperatures along a 5000-km latitudinal range including sites from the Polar, Alpine to the Mediterranean biomes. We hypothesize that, being more coupled to ground microclimate, junipers will be less influenced by atmospheric conditions and will less respond to the post-1950 climate warming than coexisting standing trees. Unexpectedly, shrub and tree growth forms revealed divergent growth trends in all the three biomes, with juniper performing better than trees at Mediterranean than at Polar and Alpine sites. The post-1980s decline of tree growth in Mediterranean sites might be induced by drought stress amplified by climate warming and did not affect junipers. We conclude that different but coexisting long-living growth forms can respond differently to the same climate factor and that, even in temperature-limited area, other drivers like the duration of snow cover might locally play a fundamental role on woody plants growth across Europe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Pellizzari
- Deaparment of TeSAF, Università Degli Studi di Padova, Legnaro, I-35020, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Gazol
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE-CSIC), Zaragoza, 50059, Spain
| | - Elena Granda
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE-CSIC), Zaragoza, 50059, Spain
| | - Rohan Shetti
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, 17487, Germany
| | - Martin Wilmking
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, 17487, Germany
| | - Pavel Moiseev
- Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology UD RAS, Yekaterinburg, 620144, Russia
| | - Mario Pividori
- Deaparment of TeSAF, Università Degli Studi di Padova, Legnaro, I-35020, Italy
| | - Marco Carrer
- Deaparment of TeSAF, Università Degli Studi di Padova, Legnaro, I-35020, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Niemeyer B, Epp LS, Stoof-Leichsenring KR, Pestryakova LA, Herzschuh U. A comparison of sedimentary DNA and pollen from lake sediments in recording vegetation composition at the Siberian treeline. Mol Ecol Resour 2017; 17:e46-e62. [DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Niemeyer
- Periglacial Research Section; Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research; Potsdam Germany
- Institute of Earth and Environmental Science; University of Potsdam; Potsdam-Golm Germany
| | - Laura S. Epp
- Periglacial Research Section; Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research; Potsdam Germany
| | | | - Luidmila A. Pestryakova
- Department for Geography and Biology; North-Eastern Federal University of Yakutsk; Yakutsk Russia
| | - Ulrike Herzschuh
- Periglacial Research Section; Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research; Potsdam Germany
- Institute of Earth and Environmental Science; University of Potsdam; Potsdam-Golm Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology; University of Potsdam; Potsdam-Golm Germany
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
|
40
|
Stépanoff C. The rise of reindeer pastoralism in Northern Eurasia: human and animal motivations entangled. JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/1467-9655.12612_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charles Stépanoff
- École Pratique des Hautes Études, Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Sociale; Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Sociale; 52 rue du cardinal Lemoine F-75005 Paris France
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Stépanoff C. The rise of reindeer pastoralism in Northern Eurasia: human and animal motivations entangled. JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/1467-9655.12612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charles Stépanoff
- École Pratique des Hautes Études, Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Sociale; Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Sociale; 52 rue du cardinal Lemoine F-75005 Paris France
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Treeline dynamics in Siberia under changing climates as inferred from an individual-based model for Larix. Ecol Modell 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
43
|
Stoof-Leichsenring KR, Herzschuh U, Pestryakova LA, Klemm J, Epp LS, Tiedemann R. Genetic data from algae sedimentary DNA reflect the influence of environment over geography. Sci Rep 2015; 5:12924. [PMID: 26261899 PMCID: PMC4542542 DOI: 10.1038/srep12924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic investigations on eukaryotic plankton confirmed the existence of modern biogeographic patterns, but analyses of palaeoecological data exploring the temporal variability of these patterns have rarely been presented. Ancient sedimentary DNA proved suitable for investigations of past assemblage turnover in the course of environmental change, but genetic relatedness of the identified lineages has not yet been undertaken. Here, we investigate the relatedness of diatom lineages in Siberian lakes along environmental gradients (i.e. across treeline transects), over geographic distance and through time (i.e. the last 7000 years) using modern and ancient sedimentary DNA. Our results indicate that closely-related Staurosira lineages occur in similar environments and less-related lineages in dissimilar environments, in our case different vegetation and co-varying climatic and limnic variables across treeline transects. Thus our study reveals that environmental conditions rather than geographic distance is reflected by diatom-relatedness patterns in space and time. We tentatively speculate that the detected relatedness pattern in Staurosira across the treeline could be a result of adaptation to diverse environmental conditions across the arctic boreal treeline, however, a geographically-driven divergence and subsequent repopulation of ecologically different habitats might also be a potential explanation for the observed pattern.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen R Stoof-Leichsenring
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ulrike Herzschuh
- 1] Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany [2] University of Potsdam, Institute of Earth and Environmental Science, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Luidmila A Pestryakova
- North-Eastern Federal University of Yakutsk, Department for Geography and Biology, ul. Belinskogo 58, 677000 Yakutsk, Russia
| | - Juliane Klemm
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Laura S Epp
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Periglacial Research, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ralph Tiedemann
- University of Potsdam, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Unit of Evolutionary Biology/Systematic Zoology, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Parducci L, Väliranta M, Salonen JS, Ronkainen T, Matetovici I, Fontana SL, Eskola T, Sarala P, Suyama Y. Proxy comparison in ancient peat sediments: pollen, macrofossil and plant DNA. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2015; 370:20130382. [PMID: 25487333 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2013.0382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We compared DNA, pollen and macrofossil data obtained from Weichselian interstadial (age more than 40 kyr) and Holocene (maximum age 8400 cal yr BP) peat sediments from northern Europe and used them to reconstruct contemporary floristic compositions at two sites. The majority of the samples provided plant DNA sequences of good quality with success amplification rates depending on age. DNA and sequencing analysis provided five plant taxa from the older site and nine taxa from the younger site, corresponding to 7% and 15% of the total number of taxa identified by the three proxies together. At both sites, pollen analysis detected the largest (54) and DNA the lowest (10) number of taxa, but five of the DNA taxa were not detected by pollen and macrofossils. The finding of a larger overlap between DNA and pollen than between DNA and macrofossils proxies seems to go against our previous suggestion based on lacustrine sediments that DNA originates principally from plant tissues and less from pollen. At both sites, we also detected Quercus spp. DNA, but few pollen grains were found in the record, and these are normally interpreted as long-distance dispersal. We confirm that in palaeoecological investigations, sedimentary DNA analysis is less comprehensive than classical morphological analysis, but is a complementary and important tool to obtain a more complete picture of past flora.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Parducci
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, ØsterVoldgade 5-7, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Minna Väliranta
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - J Sakari Salonen
- Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, PO Box 64, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tiina Ronkainen
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Irina Matetovici
- Molecular Biology Centre, Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai-University ClujNapoca, 42 TreboniuLaurian Street, 400271 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Sonia L Fontana
- School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK
| | - Tiina Eskola
- Department of Geosciences, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, 90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Pertti Sarala
- Geological Survey of Finland, PO Box 77, 96101 Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Yoshihisa Suyama
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 232-3 Yomogida, Naruko-onsen, Osaki, Miyagi 989-6711, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Fox AD, Jónsson JE, Aarvak T, Bregnballe T, Christensen TK, Clausen KK, Clausen P, Dalby L, Holm TE, Pavón-Jordan D, Laursen K, Lehikoinen A, Lorentsen SH, Møller AP, Nordström M, Öst M, Söderquist P, Roland Therkildsen O. Current and Potential Threats to Nordic Duck Populations — A Horizon Scanning Exercise. ANN ZOOL FENN 2015. [DOI: 10.5735/086.052.0404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
46
|
Resilience of alternative states in spatially extended ecosystems. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0116859. [PMID: 25714342 PMCID: PMC4340810 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative stable states in ecology have been well studied in isolated, well-mixed systems. However, in reality, most ecosystems exist on spatially extended landscapes. Applying existing theory from dynamic systems, we explore how such a spatial setting should be expected to affect ecological resilience. We focus on the effect of local disturbances, defining resilience as the size of the area of a strong local disturbance needed to trigger a shift. We show that in contrast to well-mixed systems, resilience in a homogeneous spatial setting does not decrease gradually as a bifurcation point is approached. Instead, as an environmental driver changes, the present dominant state remains virtually ‘indestructible’, until at a critical point (the Maxwell point) its resilience drops sharply in the sense that even a very local disturbance can cause a domino effect leading eventually to a landscape-wide shift to the alternative state. Close to this Maxwell point the travelling wave moves very slow. Under these conditions both states have a comparable resilience, allowing long transient co-occurrence of alternative states side-by-side, and also permanent co-existence if there are mild spatial barriers. Overall however, hysteresis may mostly disappear in a spatial context as one of both alternative states will always tend to be dominant. Our results imply that local restoration efforts on a homogeneous landscape will typically either fail or trigger a landscape-wide transition. For extensive biomes with alternative stable states, such as tundra, steppe and forest, our results imply that, as climatic change reduces the stability, the effect might be difficult to detect until a point where local disturbances inevitably induce a spatial cascade to the alternative state.
Collapse
|
47
|
The Uncertainty of Plot-Scale Forest Height Estimates from Complementary Spaceborne Observations in the Taiga-Tundra Ecotone. REMOTE SENSING 2014. [DOI: 10.3390/rs61010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
48
|
Pan-Arctic Climate and Land Cover Trends Derived from Multi-Variate and Multi-Scale Analyses (1981–2012). REMOTE SENSING 2014. [DOI: 10.3390/rs6032296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
49
|
Pan Y, Birdsey RA, Phillips OL, Jackson RB. The Structure, Distribution, and Biomass of the World's Forests. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS 2013. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110512-135914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 458] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yude Pan
- US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania 19073; ,
| | - Richard A. Birdsey
- US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania 19073; ,
| | | | - Robert B. Jackson
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708;
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Berner LT, Beck PSA, Bunn AG, Goetz SJ. Plant response to climate change along the forest-tundra ecotone in northeastern Siberia. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2013; 19:3449-62. [PMID: 23813896 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Russia's boreal (taiga) biome will likely contract sharply and shift northward in response to 21st century climatic change, yet few studies have examined plant response to climatic variability along the northern margin. We quantified climate dynamics, trends in plant growth, and growth-climate relationships across the tundra shrublands and Cajander larch (Larix cajanderi Mayr.) woodlands of the Kolyma river basin (657 000 km(2) ) in northeastern Siberia using satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation indices (NDVI), tree ring-width measurements, and climate data. Mean summer temperatures (Ts ) increased 1.0 °C from 1938 to 2009, though there was no trend (P > 0.05) in growing year precipitation or climate moisture index (CMIgy ). Mean summer NDVI (NDVIs ) increased significantly from 1982 to 2010 across 20% of the watershed, primarily in cold, shrub-dominated areas. NDVIs positively correlated (P < 0.05) with Ts across 56% of the watershed (r = 0.52 ± 0.09, mean ± SD), principally in cold areas, and with CMIgy across 9% of the watershed (r = 0.45 ± 0.06), largely in warm areas. Larch ring-width measurements from nine sites revealed that year-to-year (i.e., high-frequency) variation in growth positively correlated (P < 0.05) with June temperature (r = 0.40) and prior summer CMI (r = 0.40) from 1938 to 2007. An unexplained multi-decadal (i.e., low-frequency) decline in annual basal area increment (BAI) occurred following the mid-20th century, but over the NDVI record there was no trend in mean BAI (P > 0.05), which significantly correlated with NDVIs (r = 0.44, P < 0.05, 1982-2007). Both satellite and tree-ring analyses indicated that plant growth was constrained by both low temperatures and limited moisture availability and, furthermore, that warming enhanced growth. Impacts of future climatic change on forests near treeline in Arctic Russia will likely be influenced by shifts in both temperature and moisture, which implies that projections of future forest distribution and productivity in this area should take into account the interactions of energy and moisture limitations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Logan T Berner
- The Woods Hole Research Center, 149 Woods Hole Road, Falmouth, MA, 02540-1644, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|