What are the impacts and changes on plants in the Arctic under global warming? A recent ecological paper published in the internationally renowned academic journal Nature said that the study found that the overall number of species has not been lost or increased, but species replacement is very common, which may affect the ecosystem function and all organisms in the Arctic.
In this study, the authors analyzed more than 40 years of survey data to reveal the key drivers of changes in the composition of vascular plants in the warming Arctic.
The paper introduces that global warming is changing the growth pattern, composition and distribution range of plant species around the world. Currently, the Arctic is experiencing a warming rate four times the global average. Although there have been experimental observations and modeling studies, the specific impact of this warming on plant communities is still unclear.
To determine the changes in plant composition and richness, Mariana García Criado, the first author and corresponding author of the paper, and colleagues and collaborators at the University of Edinburgh, UK, examined 42,234 records of 490 vascular plants in 2,174 plots in the Arctic from 1981 to 2022. They found that, contrary to existing assumptions, plant richness did not change on average in the Arctic; consistent with existing literature, plant richness was higher in areas with lower latitudes and higher temperatures; and where changes were found, species turnover was quite common, accounting for 59% of the surveyed plots.
The authors note that repeated surveys between 1981 and 2022 will help identify key drivers behind species richness and composition. For example, the expansion of shrubs is associated with a decline in biodiversity, while rising temperatures are associated with an increase in the proportion of species gains and losses.
The authors conclude that although no overall richness loss was observed, the composition of Arctic vegetation is changing in a warming climate. They emphasize that it is important to further study the impacts of plant dynamics on ecosystem function, animal habitats, and the livelihoods of Arctic residents.
