Contrary to expectations, climate change has had a significant effecton mountain plants at low elevations, says a new study led by a UCDavis researcher.
The information could guide future conservation efforts at localscales by helping decision makers anticipate biological responses toclimate changes, said lead author Susan Harrison, a UC Davisprofessor of environmental science and policy.
Harrison and scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison andthe U.S. Geological Survey examined vegetation changes during thepast 60 years in the Siskiyou Mountains of Oregon.
Contrary to expectations, climate change has had a significant effect on mountain plants at low elevations, says a new study led by a UCDavis researcher. In the photo, Ellen Damschen of the University of Wisconsin-Madison (left) makes notes as the research team surveys mountain plants.
(Photo Credit: Susan Harrison, UC Davis)
They found signs of increased drought stress in the low-elevationforests (1,650 to 4,000 feet), but not at high elevations (4,100 to6,900 feet). Climate change appeared to affect both logged andunlogged forests at low elevations similarly.
"We were surprised to find such clear signals of climate change inthese plant communities, given all the other ecological changes thatmay be going on in the region, such as logging and fire suppression,"Harrison said.
Source: University of California - Davis