Moving up and over: redistribution of plants in alpine, Arctic, and Antarctic ecosystems under global change

Abstract

Extreme abiotic conditions, geographic isolation, and low levels of disturbance have historically provided alpine, Arctic, and Antarctic regions with low input of and relative resistance to the introduction of new species. However, the climate is warming rapidly, concomitant with intense and diversified types of human influence in these cold environments. Consequently, many plant species, both native and nonnative, are now moving or expanding their ranges to higher elevations and latitudes, creating new species interactions and assemblages that challenge biodiversity conservation. Based on our synthesis, many of the same nonnative species invade multiple cold environments, and many more could move up or over from adjoining warmer areas. Transportation networks and the disturbances associated with burgeoning development are responsible for many movements. Prevention and monitoring for nonnative plant species is of paramount importance, and management should be directed toward species that negatively impact ecosystem function or human well-being. Management of native range shifters is more complicated; most movements will be desirable, but some may be locally undesirable. Overall, plant movements into alpine, arctic, and Antarctic areas are going to increase, and management will need to be adaptive because species movements and assemblages of the past will not reflect those of the future.

Assessing Spread and Impacts of Non-native Plants from Highway Corridors in the Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada

“…The magnitude of projected climate change in high latitude regions, particularly if coupled with increasing human disturbance, suggests that these areas will be subject to substantial change over the course of the 21st century (SNAP, 2012;Rew et al, 2020), such that maintenance of historical species' assemblages is unlikely in the long-term (Rew et al, 2020). These trends may challenge biodiversity managers (Bonebrake et al, 2018), for instance, by altering habitat conditions or rendering management objectives based on a return to historical baseline conditions less achievable.…”

“…These trends may challenge biodiversity managers (Bonebrake et al, 2018), for instance, by altering habitat conditions or rendering management objectives based on a return to historical baseline conditions less achievable. Building an understanding of how native plant and arthropod communities are and might respond to non-native species invasions in the future is integral to long-term biodiversity conservation success and proactive management (Root et al, 2003;Rew et al, 2020;Stralberg et al, 2020).…”

“…Although considerable research has examined how disturbances, propagule pressure, and traits affect the introduction and spread of non-native species, few studies have investigated these questions in Canada's boreal Assessing Spread and Impacts of Non-native Plants from Highway Corridors in the Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada by Claire L. Singer forest. Given the context-dependency of non-native species establishment, spread, and impact demonstrated elsewhere (i.e., typically species-and habitat-specific) (Van Riper et al, 2010;Pysek et al, 2012), research focused in Canada's boreal forest will provide context-specific information that may assist with projecting invasions and ecological responses in this region (Rew et al, 2020). This is particularly relevant for biodiversity managers as climate change intensifies in this region, which is likely to increase the number of introductions of non-native species and facilitate spread into newly available habitat (Lassuy and Lewis, 2013;IPCC, 2014;Rew et al, 2020).…”

“…Given the context-dependency of non-native species establishment, spread, and impact demonstrated elsewhere (i.e., typically species-and habitat-specific) (Van Riper et al, 2010;Pysek et al, 2012), research focused in Canada's boreal forest will provide context-specific information that may assist with projecting invasions and ecological responses in this region (Rew et al, 2020). This is particularly relevant for biodiversity managers as climate change intensifies in this region, which is likely to increase the number of introductions of non-native species and facilitate spread into newly available habitat (Lassuy and Lewis, 2013;IPCC, 2014;Rew et al, 2020). The magnitude of the projected climate warming along with increasing human activity, naturally low species diversity, and an active natural disturbance regime means that northern regions may be quite strongly vulnerable to species invasions (Lassuy and Lewis, 2013;CAFF and PAME, 2017;Rew et al, 2020).…”

“…This is particularly relevant for biodiversity managers as climate change intensifies in this region, which is likely to increase the number of introductions of non-native species and facilitate spread into newly available habitat (Lassuy and Lewis, 2013;IPCC, 2014;Rew et al, 2020). The magnitude of the projected climate warming along with increasing human activity, naturally low species diversity, and an active natural disturbance regime means that northern regions may be quite strongly vulnerable to species invasions (Lassuy and Lewis, 2013;CAFF and PAME, 2017;Rew et al, 2020).…”