Retreating or standing: responses of forest species and steppe species to climate change in arid Eastern Central Asia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The temperature in arid Eastern Central Asia is projected to increase in the future, accompanied by increased variability of precipitation. To investigate the impacts of climate change on plant species in this area, we selected two widespread species as candidates, Clematis sibirica and C. songorica, from montane coniferous forest and arid steppe habitats respectively.

Methodology/principal findings

We employed a combined approach of molecular phylogeography and species distribution modelling (SDM) to predict the future responses of these two species to climate change, utilizing evidence of responses from the past. Genetic data for C. sibirica shows a significant phylogeographical signal (N ST > F ST, P<0.05) and demographic contraction during the glacial-intergla

SUBMITTER: Zhang HX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3626637 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature