Vegetation of the Alpine and Nival Belts

Leuschner, Christoph; Ellenberg, Heinz

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-43048-5_5

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 171 publications

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“…In contrast, in Central Asian and Scandinavian mountains, higher aridity or a stronger clearing of snow cover by wind promotes communities richer in cryptogams and less dominated by graminoids. This trend is also observed in continental Nearctic mountain ranges such as the Rocky Mountains (Leuschner and Ellenberg 2017). In all mountain ranges, snow abrasion poses a major mechanical challenge to alpine vegetation of exposed habitats (Wieser, Holtmeier & Smith, 2014) and promotes the development of stress tolerant cryptogamic communities in windswept localities.…”

Section: Cryptogams and Biological Soil Crustsmentioning

confidence: 56%

Biodiversity in mountain soils above the treeline

Praeg,

Steinwandter,

Urbach

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Despite the importance of healthy soils for human livelihood, wellbeing, and safety, current gaps in our knowledge and understanding of biodiversity in soil are numerous, undermining conservation efforts. These gaps are particularly wide in mountain regions where healthy soils are especially important for human safety and yet evidence is accumulating of ongoing degradation, posing significant threats to ecosystem functioning and human settlements.To analyse these gaps in detail, we synthesise current research on the global diversity of microorganisms, cryptogams, and invertebrates in mountain soils above the treeline. This synthesis is based on a semi-quantitative survey of the literature and an expert-based analysis. Our work reveals not only deficiencies in geographic cover but also significant gaps in taxonomic coverage, particularly among soil protists and invertebrates, and a lack of (functional and ecological) description of the uncultivated majority of prokaryotes, fungi, and protists. We subsequently build on this overview to highlight opportunities for research on mountain soils as systems of co-occurring species that interact in complex environmental matrices to fulfil critical functions and make essential contributions to life on land.Closing gaps in biodiversity research in mountain soil is crucial to enhance our understanding and to promote laws and guidelines advancing international soil biodiversity conservation targets in mountains. Addressing sparse and biased data, recognizing the impact of environmental changes on mountain ecosystems, and advocating dedicated policies are essential strategies to safeguard mountain soils and their biodiversity.GLOSSARY

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Section: Cryptogams and Biological Soil Crustsmentioning

confidence: 56%

Biodiversity in mountain soils above the treeline

Praeg,

Steinwandter,

Urbach

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…In our study, Nardus occurred at several microsites with late snowmelt while Carex was absent, and high soil moisture (with occasionally standing water) was more problematic for Carex than for Nardus . At lower elevation, Nardus is often found in wet meadows, fens and wet depressions (Leuschner & Ellenberg, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Stronger competitors (montane plant species) may limit the realized niche of Carex to the alpine and (sub)nival zone, and Nardus as a generalist species is more competitive than Carex at lower elevation. Land use may come into play at lower elevation, where Nardus is promoted by grazing (Leuschner & Ellenberg, 2017; Schwabe, 1990). While Carex is considered tolerant to mechanical impact (Grabherr, 1982), the species regenerates extremely slowly once damaged (Steinger et al, 1996).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nardus has a much wider distribution than Carex : native to Western Asia and Europe, but invaded the United States and New Zealand (Kissling et al, 2004). Both co‐occur in a broad transition zone in the alpine landscape (Leuschner & Ellenberg, 2017; Oberdorfer, 1959). For this zone, it is so far unknown where and why one of the two species dominates.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Low winter temperatures and divergent freezing resistance set the cold range limit of widespread alpine graminoids

Büren

Hiltbrunner

2022

Journal of Biogeography

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Aim “Where and why does a species exist” is a fundamental question in ecology. However, the actual range limits of alpine plant species are largely unexplored and unexplained. We aim at identifying the cold range limits of the two most abundant alpine graminoid species on acidic soils that intermingle in mosaics of high‐elevation habitats across the European Alps. Location Alpine grasslands in the Swiss Alps. Taxon Carex curvula (Cyperaceae) and Nardus stricta (Poaceae). Methods We assessed temperature 3 cm below ground, closest to the plant meristems, year‐round as well as snow cover duration, soil chemistry and vegetation characteristics at high spatio‐temporal resolution at 115 microsites. Field data were combined with various freezing resistance analyses in plant individuals at 38 microsites by employing mixed regression models. Results Carex and Nardus segregated across different microsites. Season length, growing degree hours and soil chemistry did not demarcate the two species' ranges, while their distribution was strongly affected by soil minimum temperature in winter. Carex occurred at sites with and without protecting snow cover and resisted low soil temperatures (−13°C). Nardus was absent at microsites with snow cover duration < 5 months and soil minimum temperatures below −5°C. During the growing season Carex had a higher leaf/shoot freezing resistance (lethal temperature for 50% of the leaf tissue LT50: −16.1°C) than Nardus (−13.3°C). Shoot apices tolerated lowest temperatures: Carex −30°C, Nardus −24°C. Though, a vital shoot apex alone did not ensure regrowth after winter, but intact vessels and roots were required, all less freezing tolerant than apical meristems and young leaves. Main conclusions The cold range limits of these widespread alpine graminoids are evidently set by thermal extremes in winter. Microtopography, thus snow distribution pattern, in concert with the species' freezing resistance explains the cold edge of the fundamental niche of these two species.

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The Pamir-Alai Mountains (Middle Asia: Tajikistan)

Nowak

Nobis

2020

Plant Biogeography and Vegetation of High Mountains of Central and South-West Asia

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Vegetation of the Alpine and Nival Belts

Cited by 6 publications

References 171 publications

Biodiversity in mountain soils above the treeline

Biodiversity in mountain soils above the treeline

Low winter temperatures and divergent freezing resistance set the cold range limit of widespread alpine graminoids

The Pamir-Alai Mountains (Middle Asia: Tajikistan)

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