Classifying Hawaiian plant species along a habitat generalist-specialist continuum: Implications for species conservation under climate change.

ABSTRACT: Plant communities on tropical high islands, such as the Hawaiian Islands, are predicted to experience rapid climate change, resulting in novel climates. If increased temperature and/or drought exceed plant species' current tolerances, species that are unable to adapt or shift ranges risk extinction. By definition, habitat generalists have a wide niche breadth and thrive in a variety of habitats, whereas habitat specialists have a narrow niche breadth, and typically thrive under more specific climatic characteristics (e.g., cold). The objectives of this study were to: (1) classify plant species in the Hawaiian Islands along a habitat generalist-specialist continuum; (2) independently test the validity of species rankings, using environmental and biogeographic ranges; and (3) identify specie

SUBMITTER: Ainsworth A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7006925 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature