Climate change effects on desert ecosystems: A case study on the keystone species of the Namib Desert Welwitschia mirabilis.

ABSTRACT: Deserts have been predicted to be one of the most responsive ecosystems to global climate change. In this study, we examine the spatial and demographic response of a keystone endemic plant of the Namib Desert (Welwitschia mirabilis), for which displacement and reduction of suitable climate has been foreseen under future conditions. The main aim is to assess the association between ongoing climate change and geographical patterns of welwitschia health, reproductive status, and size. We collected data on welwitschia distribution, health condition, reproductive status, and plant size in northern Namibia. We used ecological niche models to predict the expected geographic shift of suitability under climate change scenarios. For each variable, we compared our field measurements with the expected

SUBMITTER: Bombi P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8575257 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature