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Growth limitations, phenotypic plasticity and micro-evolution in a long-lived alpine shrubFrom SwissExperimentGrowth limitations, phenotypic plasticity and micro-evolution in a long-lived alpine shrub
Growth limitations, phenotypic plasticity and micro-evolution in a long-lived alpine shrubContact: Christian Rixen (rixen@slf.ch)
Climate change will likely have severe effects on alpine plants. In this study, we investigate responses of the long-lived alpine plant Salix herbacea to climate change with approaches from the fields of ecophysiology, evolutionary ecology and genetics. BackgroundHow plants will respond to climate change is amongst the most pressing questions in ecology and evolution. To answer this question evolutionary ecologists usually focus on morphological traits and fitness, ecophysiologists focus on physiological processes, while geneticists focus on genes. Moreover, they usually work on different model systems, which does not promote the achievement of a complete picture. Here we will bring together the disparate fields of ecophysiology, evolutionary ecology and genetics to study phenotypic plasticity and micro-evolution of the long-lived alpine plant Salix herbacea in order to understand potential responses to climate change. GoalWe aim to determine i) how elevation and microclimate affect growth and establishment of S. herbacea, ii) how limiting factors (freezing events) restrict growth and iii) how indirect biotic interactions modify direct responses to climate change. Furthermore, we aim to iv) predict phenotypic plasticity and potential evolutionary responses of S. herbacea in response to climate change and v) understand gene flow within subpopulations and the genetic basis of ecologically relevant variation within populations. Broader impactClimate change now numbers among the world’s most pressing political and economic concerns. This is because climate change is likely to have direct implications for human welfare, and indirect implications as a consequence of effects on biodiversity and the delivery of ecosystem services. Important ecosystem functions that might be affected through changes in the distribution of a dominant alpine species such as S. herbacea are the prevention of soil erosion and recreation. Our project will provide the information to predict how S. herbacea will respond to climate change. Moreover, we will actively seek contact with the public to raise awareness of potential consequences of climate change for alpine ecosystems. PublicationsNo publications found
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