Bryophyte and lichen diversity of Austrian alpine grassland ecosystems and the implications of climate change

Author:
Schwager P., Fladenhofer L., Clark A.T., Mayrhofer H., Cseh D. & Berg C.
Year:
2024
Journal:
Herzogia
Pages:
37(2): 246–269
Url:
https://doi.org/10.13158/heia.37.2.2024.246
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Bryophytes and lichens, despite their contrasting ecological requirements, often coexist in alpine grassland habitats. Bryophytes favor cool, shaded, and moist conditions, while lichens prefer light and dry environments. Understanding their response to changing environmental factors offers insights into the impacts of climate change on vegetation. In our study, cryptogams were identified as significant components of alpine grasslands, with their proportions varying across plant communities. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) revealed that altitude, vascular plant cover, and temperature and precipitation factors are key in explaining cryptogam species composition. Nutrient availability supports bryophyte diversity, while continentality influences lichen distribution. Additionally, competition with vascular plants might affect cryptogam diversity, particularly for bryophytes, which thrive with lower herb layer cover. Betaregression analysis confirmed different potential responses of bryophytes and lichens to climate change scenarios (rcp 4.5 and rcp 8.5). While global warming is generally expected to increase oceanity – potentially benefiting bryophytes and harming lichens – our findings suggest a different outcome. Drier summers, wetter winters, and rising temperatures are likely to favor lichens over bryophytes due to reduced humidity stability. Furthermore, only bryophytes may benefit from shifting to north-facing slopes. The rising competition from vascular plants, driven by global warming, could threaten specialized alpine cryptogam species, reducing their diversity and impacting snowbed vegetation. Key words: Alpine grassland, cryptogams, bryophytes, lichens, environmental conditions, climate change.
Id:
37588
Submitter:
zpalice
Post_time:
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 12:30