Early life history responses and phenotypic shifts in a rare endemic plant responding to climate change.

ABSTRACT: Changes in species ranges are anticipated with climate change, where in alpine settings, fragmentation and contraction are likely. This is especially true in high altitude biodiversity hotspots, where warmer growing seasons and increased drought events may negatively impact populations by limiting regeneration. Here, we test for high-altitude species responses to the interactive effects of warming and drought in Heterotheca brandegeei, a perennial cushion plant endemic to alpine outcroppings in Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park, Baja California, México. We exposed H. brandegeei seedlings to experimental warming and drought conditions to document early life history responses and the species ability to tolerate climate change. Drought negatively influenced seedling growt

SUBMITTER: Winkler DE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6822542 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature