Changes in composition, ecology and structure of high-mountain vegetation: a re-visitation study over 42 years.

ABSTRACT: High-mountain ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change, causing biodiversity loss, habitat degradation and landscape modifications. However, very few detailed studies have focussed on plant biodiversity in the high mountains of the Mediterranean. In this study, we investigated the long-term changes that have occurred in the composition, structure and ecology of high-mountain vegetation in the central Apennines (Majella) over the last 42 years. We performed a re-visitation study, using historical and newly collected vegetation data to explore which ecological and structural features have been the most successful in coping with climatic changes. Vegetation changes were analysed by comparing geo-referenced phytosociological relevés collected in high-mountain habitats (dolines,

SUBMITTER: Evangelista A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4770936 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature