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Diversity
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Diversity, Ecology and Conservation of Alpine Plants
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Diversity, Ecology and Conservation of Alpine Plants

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Diversity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2021) | Viewed by 33154

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Juan Lorite

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Botánica, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: plant conservation; plant diversity; alpine plant ecology; restoration ecology
Dr. Manuela Winkler

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
GLORIA Co-Ordination, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) & Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research (IGF), Austrian Academy of Sciences, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
Interests: biodiversity; alpine plants; climate change; population biology; molecular ecology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The alpine life zone is globally distributed from polar to tropical latitudes and occurs across oceanic and continental climates. Alpine habitats host a larger proportion of the Earth's biodiversity than would be expected by area.

Currently, alpine areas belong to those regions expected to experience above-average climatic warming worldwide. At the same time, there is increasing human pressure caused by the growing pressure of tourism and land-use changes. Cumulative effects of both climatic and direct human-mediated factors are in fact jeopardizing alpine species and habitats. As plants respond to a harsh alpine environment with a high degree of specialization, anthropogenic influences may be particularly deleterious for plants.

Understanding plant diversity patterns and ecological processes is crucial to addressing the ongoing rapid and accelerating changes, identifying conservation problems, and proposing conservation strategies and measures. This Special Issue will focus on new research and significant findings on alpine plants, covering diversity patterns, ecological processes and functioning, and conservation.

 

Prof. Juan Lorite
Dr. Manuela Winkler
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • alpine plants
  • diversity
  • ecology
  • conservation
  • mountain area

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1261 KiB  
Article
Exploring Plant Functional Diversity and Redundancy of Mediterranean High-Mountain Habitats in the Apennines
by Alessandro Bricca, Maria Laura Carranza, Marco Varricchione, Maurizio Cutini and Angela Stanisci
Diversity 2021, 13(10), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13100466 - 26 Sep 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2600
Abstract
We analyzed plant functional diversity (FD) and redundancy (FR) in Mediterranean high-mountain communities to explore plant functional patterns and assembly rules. We focused on three above-ground plant traits: plant height (H), a good surrogate of competition for light strategies, and specific leaf area [...] Read more.
We analyzed plant functional diversity (FD) and redundancy (FR) in Mediterranean high-mountain communities to explore plant functional patterns and assembly rules. We focused on three above-ground plant traits: plant height (H), a good surrogate of competition for light strategies, and specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC), useful indicators of resource exploitation functional schemes. We used the georeferenced vegetation plots and field-measured plant functional traits of four widely spread vegetation types growing on screes, steep slopes, snowbeds and ridges, respectively. We calculated Rao’s FD and FR followed by analysis of standardized effect size, and compared FD and FR community values using ANOVA and the Tukey post hoc test. Assemblage rules varied across plant communities and traits. The High FRH registered on snowbeds and ridges is probably linked to climatic filtering processes, while the high FDH and low FDSLA and FDLDMC on steep slopes could be related with underlying competition mechanisms. The absence of FD patterns in scree vegetation pinpoint random assembly processes which are typical of highly unstable or disturbed ecosystems. Improved knowledge about the deterministic/stochastic processes shaping species coexistence on high mountain ecosystems should help researchers to understand and predict vegetation vulnerability to environmental changes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Ecology and Conservation of Alpine Plants)
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33 pages, 6656 KiB  
Article
Variation in Alpine Plant Diversity and Soil Temperatures in Two Mountain Landscapes of South Patagonia
by María Vanessa Lencinas, Rosina Soler, Juan Manuel Cellini, Héctor Bahamonde, Magalí Pérez Flores, Lucas Monelos, Guillermo José Martínez Pastur and Pablo Luis Peri
Diversity 2021, 13(7), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13070310 - 8 Jul 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3906
Abstract
Alpine environments and their temporal changes are rarely studied at high latitudes in the southern hemisphere. We analyzed alpine plants, soil temperatures, and growing-season length in mountains of two landscapes of South Patagonia (46° to 56° SL): three summits (814–1085 m a.s.l) surrounded [...] Read more.
Alpine environments and their temporal changes are rarely studied at high latitudes in the southern hemisphere. We analyzed alpine plants, soil temperatures, and growing-season length in mountains of two landscapes of South Patagonia (46° to 56° SL): three summits (814–1085 m a.s.l) surrounded by foothill grasslands in Santa Cruz province (SC), and four summits (634–864 m a.s.l.) in sub-Antarctic forests of Tierra del Fuego province (TF). Sampling followed the protocolized methodology of the Global Observational Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA). Factors were topography (elevation and cardinal aspect) and time (baseline vs. re-sampling for plants, five annual periods for temperatures), assessed by univariate and multivariate tests. Plant composition reflected the lowland surrounding landscapes, with only 9 mountain species on 52 totals in SC and 3 on 30 in TF. Richness was higher in re-sampling than baseline, being assemblages more influenced by aspect than elevation. Mean annual soil temperature and growing-season length, which varied with topography, were related to the Multivariate El Niño Southern Oscillation Index (MEI) but did not show clear warming trends over time. We highlight the importance of long-term studies in mountainous regions of extreme southern latitudes, where factors other than warming (e.g., extreme climate events) explain variations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Ecology and Conservation of Alpine Plants)
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16 pages, 1565 KiB  
Article
Photoprotective Strategies in Mediterranean High-Mountain Grasslands
by Rosina Magaña Ugarte, María Pilar Gómez-Serranillos, Adrián Escudero and Rosario G. Gavilán
Diversity 2021, 13(3), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13030137 - 22 Mar 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1901
Abstract
Albeit the remarkably high Ultraviolet B loads, high temperatures, and drought stress substantiate the need for efficient photoprotective strategies in Mediterranean high-mountain plants, these remain understudied. Considering the sensitivity of photosystems to extreme conditions, we evaluated an environmental gradient’s weight on the photoprotection [...] Read more.
Albeit the remarkably high Ultraviolet B loads, high temperatures, and drought stress substantiate the need for efficient photoprotective strategies in Mediterranean high-mountain plants, these remain understudied. Considering the sensitivity of photosystems to extreme conditions, we evaluated an environmental gradient’s weight on the photoprotection of five high-mountain specialists from Central Spain. Diurnal and seasonal variations in chlorophyll, chlorophyll fluorescence, carotenoids, and xanthophylls in consecutive and climatically contrasting years were taken to evaluate the effect of the impending climate coarsening at the photosystem level. Our results revealed significant differences among species in the xanthophyll cycle functioning, acting either as a continuous photoprotective strategy enhancing photochemistry-steadiness; or prompted only to counteract the cumulative effects of atypically adverse conditions. The lutein cycle’s involvement is inferred from the high lutein content found in all species and elevations, acting as a sustained photoprotective strategy. These findings added to high de-epoxidation state (DEPS) and minor seasonal changes in the chlorophyll a/b ratio, infer the xanthophyll and Lutein cycles are crucial for upkeeping the photosystems’ optimal functioning in these plants heightening their photoprotective capacity during periods of more unfavorable conditions. Nevertheless, an atypically dry growing season’s detrimental effect infers the feasible surpassing of stress-thresholds and the precariousness of the communities’ functional diversity under climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Ecology and Conservation of Alpine Plants)
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25 pages, 9853 KiB  
Article
Diversity and Origin of the Central Mexican Alpine Flora
by Victor W. Steinmann, Libertad Arredondo-Amezcua, Rodrigo Alejandro Hernández-Cárdenas and Yocupitzia Ramírez-Amezcua
Diversity 2021, 13(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13010031 - 15 Jan 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6297
Abstract
Alpine vegetation is scarce in central Mexico (≈150 km2) and occurs on the 11 highest peaks of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB). Timberline occurs at (3700) 3900 m, and at 4750 m vascular plants cease to exist. The alpine vascular flora [...] Read more.
Alpine vegetation is scarce in central Mexico (≈150 km2) and occurs on the 11 highest peaks of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB). Timberline occurs at (3700) 3900 m, and at 4750 m vascular plants cease to exist. The alpine vascular flora comprises 237 species from 46 families and 130 genera. Asteraceae (44), Poaceae (42), and Caryophyllaceae (21) possess 45% of the species; none of the remaining families have more than 10 species. Four species are strict endemics, and eight others are near endemics. Thirteen species are restricted to alpine vegetation but also occur outside the study area. Seventy-seven species are endemic to Mexico, 35 of which are endemic to the TMVB. In terms of biogeography, the strongest affinities are with Central or South America. Fifteen species are also native to the Old World. Size of the alpine area seems to not be the determining factor for its floristic diversity. Instead, the time since and extent of the last volcanic activity, in addition to the distance from other alpine islands, appear to be important factors affecting diversity. There is evidence for upward vegetational shifts having occurred during the last century. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Ecology and Conservation of Alpine Plants)
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16 pages, 8725 KiB  
Article
Altitudinal Vascular Plant Richness and Climate Change in the Alpine Zone of the Lefka Ori, Crete
by George Kazakis, Dany Ghosn, Ilektra Remoundou, Panagiotis Nyktas, Michael A. Talias and Ioannis N. Vogiatzakis
Diversity 2021, 13(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13010022 - 9 Jan 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3054
Abstract
High mountain zones in the Mediterranean area are considered more vulnerable in comparison to lower altitudes zones. Lefka Ori massif, a global biodiversity hotspot on the island of Crete is part of the Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA) monitoring network. [...] Read more.
High mountain zones in the Mediterranean area are considered more vulnerable in comparison to lower altitudes zones. Lefka Ori massif, a global biodiversity hotspot on the island of Crete is part of the Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA) monitoring network. The paper examines species and vegetation changes with respect to climate and altitude over a seven-year period (2001–2008) at a range of spatial scales (10 m Summit Area Section-SAS, 5 m SAS, 1 m2) using the GLORIA protocol in a re-survey of four mountain summits (1664 m–2339 m). The absolute species loss between 2001–2008 was 4, among which were 2 endemics. At the scale of individual summits, the highest changes were recorded at the lower summits with absolute species loss 4 in both cases. Paired t-tests for the total species richness at 1 m2 between 2001–2008, showed no significant differences. No significant differences were found at the individual summit level neither at the 5 m SAS or the 10 m SAS. Time series analysis reveals that soil mean annual temperature is increasing at all summits. Linear regressions with the climatic variables show a positive effect on species richness at the 5 m and 10 m SAS as well as species changes at the 5 m SAS. In particular, June mean temperature has the highest predictive power for species changes at the 5 m SAS. Recorded changes in species richness point more towards fluctuations within a plant community’s normal range, although there seem to be more significant diversity changes in higher summits related to aspects. Our work provides additional evidence to assess the effects of climate change on plant diversity in Mediterranean mountains and particularly those of islands which remain understudied. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Ecology and Conservation of Alpine Plants)
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Review

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15 pages, 2736 KiB  
Review
Why Is the Alpine Flora Comparatively Robust against Climatic Warming?
by Christian Körner and Erika Hiltbrunner
Diversity 2021, 13(8), 383; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13080383 - 16 Aug 2021
Cited by 54 | Viewed by 8704
Abstract
The alpine belt hosts the treeless vegetation above the high elevation climatic treeline. The way alpine plants manage to thrive in a climate that prevents tree growth is through small stature, apt seasonal development, and ‘managing’ the microclimate near the ground surface. Nested [...] Read more.
The alpine belt hosts the treeless vegetation above the high elevation climatic treeline. The way alpine plants manage to thrive in a climate that prevents tree growth is through small stature, apt seasonal development, and ‘managing’ the microclimate near the ground surface. Nested in a mosaic of micro-environmental conditions, these plants are in a unique position by a close-by neighborhood of strongly diverging microhabitats. The range of adjacent thermal niches that the alpine environment provides is exceeding the worst climate warming scenarios. The provided mountains are high and large enough, these are conditions that cause alpine plant species diversity to be robust against climatic change. However, the areal extent of certain habitat types will shrink as isotherms move upslope, with the potential areal loss by the advance of the treeline by far outranging the gain in new land by glacier retreat globally. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Ecology and Conservation of Alpine Plants)
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16 pages, 1961 KiB  
Review
The Evolutionary History, Diversity, and Ecology of Willows (Salix L.) in the European Alps
by Natascha D. Wagner, Li He and Elvira Hörandl
Diversity 2021, 13(4), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040146 - 30 Mar 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4541
Abstract
The genus Salix (willows), with 33 species, represents the most diverse genus of woody plants in the European Alps. Many species dominate subalpine and alpine types of vegetation. Despite a long history of research on willows, the evolutionary and ecological factors for this [...] Read more.
The genus Salix (willows), with 33 species, represents the most diverse genus of woody plants in the European Alps. Many species dominate subalpine and alpine types of vegetation. Despite a long history of research on willows, the evolutionary and ecological factors for this species richness are poorly known. Here we will review recent progress in research on phylogenetic relationships, evolution, ecology, and speciation in alpine willows. Phylogenomic reconstructions suggest multiple colonization of the Alps, probably from the late Miocene onward, and reject hypotheses of a single radiation. Relatives occur in the Arctic and in temperate Eurasia. Most species are widespread in the European mountain systems or in the European lowlands. Within the Alps, species differ ecologically according to different elevational zones and habitat preferences. Homoploid hybridization is a frequent process in willows and happens mostly after climatic fluctuations and secondary contact. Breakdown of the ecological crossing barriers of species is followed by introgressive hybridization. Polyploidy is an important speciation mechanism, as 40% of species are polyploid, including the four endemic species of the Alps. Phylogenomic data suggest an allopolyploid origin for all taxa analyzed so far. Further studies are needed to specifically analyze biogeographical history, character evolution, and genome evolution of polyploids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Ecology and Conservation of Alpine Plants)
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