We analyzed diversity patterns of vascular cryophilous species across different habitats in the high elevation ecosystem of the Italian Apennines in order to achieve a useful baseline for monitoring actions of these endangered taxa as a consequence of global warming. Plant species data were collected following a random stratified sampling design and plot-based rarefaction curves were adopted to estimate overall species richness and habitat type-specific richness. Results revealed that the 50% of the cryophilous species are widespread in the high elevation habitats and the remaining 50% is spatially segregated, being specialists in habitat utilization. We pointed out that the diversity pattern of cryophilous taxa is not related to the general patterns of total species richness, being strongly influenced by the occurrence of extreme habitat types when compared to the entire pool of species. At regional scale, the total number of cryophilous species is highest in cliffs and lowest in doline habitat, whereas,, at local scale, the total number of cryophilous species is highest in ridge habitat. Rarefaction analysis proved that in ridges, cliffs and screes targeted species are common and as a consequence they can be considered conservative habitats for cryophilous species in relation to the effects of climatic warming.

Assessing the diversity pattern of cryophilous plant species in high elevation ecosystems

STANISCI, Angela;CARRANZA, Maria Laura
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
2011-01-01

Abstract

We analyzed diversity patterns of vascular cryophilous species across different habitats in the high elevation ecosystem of the Italian Apennines in order to achieve a useful baseline for monitoring actions of these endangered taxa as a consequence of global warming. Plant species data were collected following a random stratified sampling design and plot-based rarefaction curves were adopted to estimate overall species richness and habitat type-specific richness. Results revealed that the 50% of the cryophilous species are widespread in the high elevation habitats and the remaining 50% is spatially segregated, being specialists in habitat utilization. We pointed out that the diversity pattern of cryophilous taxa is not related to the general patterns of total species richness, being strongly influenced by the occurrence of extreme habitat types when compared to the entire pool of species. At regional scale, the total number of cryophilous species is highest in cliffs and lowest in doline habitat, whereas,, at local scale, the total number of cryophilous species is highest in ridge habitat. Rarefaction analysis proved that in ridges, cliffs and screes targeted species are common and as a consequence they can be considered conservative habitats for cryophilous species in relation to the effects of climatic warming.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11695/3002
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