Elevational shifts in reproductive ecology indicate the climate response of a model chasmophyte, Rainer's bellflower (Campanula raineri).

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Elevation gradients provide 'natural experiments' for investigating plant climate change responses, advantageous for the study of protected species and life forms for which transplantation experiments are illegal or unfeasible, such as chasmophytes with perennial rhizomes pervading rock fissures. Elevational climatic differences impact mountain plant reproductive traits (pollen and seed quality, sexual vs. vegetative investment) and pollinator community composition; we investigated the reproductive ecology of a model chasmophyte, Campanula raineri Perp. (Campanulaceae), throughout its current elevational/climatic range to understand where sub-optimal conditions jeopardise survival. We hypothesised that: 1) reproductive fitness measures are positively correlated

SUBMITTER: Villa S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11805931 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature