at Google ScholarTitle data
García Criado, Mariana ; Myers-Smith, Isla H. ; Bjorkman, Anne D. ; Elmendorf, Sarah C. ; Normand, Signe ; Aastrup, Peter ; Aerts, Rien ; Alatalo, Juha M. ; Baeten, Lander ; Björk, Robert G. ; Björkman, Mats P. ; Boulanger-Lapointe, Noémie ; Butler, Ethan E. ; Cooper, Elisabeth J. ; Cornelissen, J. Hans C. ; Daskalova, Gergana N. ; Fadrique, Belen ; Forbes, Bruce C. ; Henry, Greg H. R. ; Hollister, Robert D. ; Høye, Toke Thomas ; Jacobsen, Ida Bomholt Dyrholm ; Jägerbrand, Annika K. ; Jónsdóttir, Ingibjörg S. ; Kaarlejärvi, Elina ; Khitun, Olga ; Klanderud, Kari ; Kolari, Tiina H. M. ; Lang, Simone I. ; Lecomte, Nicolas ; Lenoir, Jonathan ; Macek, Petr ; Messier, Julie ; Michelsen, Anders ; Molau, Ulf ; Muscarella, Robert ; Nielsen, Marie-Louise ; Petit Bon, Matteo ; Post, Eric ; Raundrup, Katrine ; Rinnan, Riikka ; Rixen, Christian ; Ryde, Ingvild ; Serra-Diaz, Josep M. ; Schaepman-Strub, Gabriela ; Schmidt, Niels M. ; Schrodt, Franziska ; Sjögersten, Sofie ; Steinbauer, Manuel ; Stewart, Lærke ; Strandberg, Beate ; Tolvanen, Anne ; Tweedie, Craig E. ; Vellend, Mark:
Plant diversity dynamics over space and time in a warming Arctic.
In: Nature.
Vol. 642
(2025)
Issue 8068
.
- pp. 653-661.
ISSN 1476-4687
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08946-8
Abstract in another language
The Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average1 and plant communities are responding through shifts in species abundance, composition and distribution2–4. However, the direction and magnitude of local changes in plant diversity in the Arctic have not been quantified. Using a compilation of 42,234 records of 490 vascular plant species from 2,174 plots across the Arctic, here we quantified temporal changes in species richness and composition through repeat surveys between 1981 and 2022. We also identified the geographical, climatic and biotic drivers behind these changes. We found greater species richness at lower latitudes and warmer sites, but no indication that, on average, species richness had changed directionally over time. However, species turnover was widespread, with 59% of plots gaining and/or losing species. Proportions of species gains and losses were greater where temperatures had increased the most. Shrub expansion, particularly of erect shrubs, was associated with greater species losses and decreasing species richness. Despite changes in plant composition, Arctic plant communities did not become more similar to each other, suggesting no biotic homogenization so far. Overall, Arctic plant communities changed in richness and composition in different directions, with temperature and plant–plant interactions emerging as the main drivers of change. Our findings demonstrate how climate and biotic drivers can act in concert to alter plant composition, which could precede future biodiversity changes that are likely to affect ecosystem function, wildlife habitats and the livelihoods of Arctic peoples5,6.
Further data
| Item Type: | Article in a journal |
|---|---|
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Institutions of the University: | Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies > Department of Sport Science > Chair Sport Ecology Profile Fields > Advanced Fields > Ecology and the Environmental Sciences Research Institutions > Central research institutes > Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research- BayCEER |
| Result of work at the UBT: | Yes |
| DDC Subjects: | 500 Science > 500 Natural sciences 500 Science > 570 Life sciences, biology 500 Science > 580 Plants (Botany) |
| Date Deposited: | 15 Aug 2025 07:20 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Aug 2025 07:20 |
| URI: | https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/94502 |