Experimental evidence of reduced diversity of seedlings due to climate modification in a Mediterranean-type community
Lloret Maya, Francisco (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Biologia Animal, de Biologia Vegetal i d'Ecologia)
Peñuelas, Josep (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Biologia Animal, de Biologia Vegetal i d'Ecologia)
Estiarte, Marc (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)

Date:	2004
Abstract:	We are still lacking in experimental evidence of the effects of climate change on the richness of plant species under field conditions. We report a decrease in the species richness of recruited seedlings in a Mediterranean shrubland in experimentally induced drought and warming over 4 consecutive years. Drought decreased the number of emerging seedlings and their respective species richness. Warming also decreased seedling species richness, but it did not affect the number of emerging seedlings. Species that produce fewer recruits are more likely to disappear in drier or warmer scenarios. However, when the effect of induced climate treatment was greatest, the more abundant species in control stands were not necessarily the ones least affected by treatment; in other words, species-idiosyncratic responses may occur. These results show that demographic processes are sensitive to minor climate changes, with probable consequences on the diversity and structure of the future plant communities.
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Climate warming ; Drought ; Global change ; Mediterranean ecosystems ; Seedling dynamics ; Species diversity ; Species recruitment ; Escalfament del clima ; Sequera ; Canvi global ; Ecosistemes mediterranis ; Dinàmica de les plàntules ; Diversitat d'espècies ; Recompte d'espècies ; Calentamiento del clima ; Sequía ; Cambio global ; Ecosistemas mediterráneos ; Dinámica de las plántulas ; Diversidad de especies ; Recuento de especies
Published in:	Global change biology, Vol. 10, Núm. 2 (2004) , p. 248-258, ISSN 1365-2486

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2004.00725.x

11 p, 214.6 KB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > CREAF (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles