Ecosystem services research in mountainous regions: A systematic literature review on current knowledge and research gaps

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 702, P. 134581 - 134581

Published: Nov. 2, 2019

Language: Английский

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Phenological and elevational shifts of plants, animals and fungi under climate change in the European Alps

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 96(5), P. 1816 - 1835

Published: April 27, 2021

Mountain areas are biodiversity hotspots and provide a multitude of ecosystem services irreplaceable socio-economic value. In the European Alps, air temperature has increased at rate about 0.36°C decade-1 since 1970, leading to glacier retreat significant snowpack reduction. Due these rapid environmental changes, this mountainous region is undergoing marked changes in spring phenology elevational distribution animals, plants fungi. Long-term monitoring Alps offers an excellent natural laboratory synthetize climate-related for large array taxonomic groups. This review assesses climatic that have occurred across during recent decades, phenological upslope shifts plants, animals fungi from evidence published papers previously unpublished data. Our provides been shifting earlier past four decades ranges show upwards trend most groups which there sufficient The first observed activity reptiles terrestrial insects (e.g. butterflies) shifted significantly earlier, average -5.7 -6.0 days , respectively. By contrast, semi-aquatic dragonflies damselflies) amphibians, as well singing or laying dates resident birds, smaller non-significant trends ranging -1.0 +1.3 . Leaf-out flowering woody herbaceous showed intermediate with mean values -2.4 -2.8 Regarding species distribution, (N = 2133 species) elevation maximum abundance (optimum elevation) similar pace (on between +18 +25 m ) but substantial differences among taxa. For example, optimum upward by +36.2 +32.7 whereas it was estimated range +11 insects, ferns, birds wood-decaying upper limit (leading edge) also clearly higher (from +47 +91 than +17 +40 ), except (-4.7 ). Although regional land-use could partly explain some trends, consistent shift found almost all taxa over likely reflecting strong warming receding snow cover taken place decades. However, possible exception organisms seems currently too slow track isotherm induced climate warming, +62 +71 1970. light results, interactions change multiple trophic levels through spatial mismatches. nascent research field deserves greater attention allow us anticipate structural functional better level.

Language: Английский

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Alpine greening deciphered by forest stand and structure dynamics in advancing treelines of the southwestern European Alps

Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 2, 2025

Abstract Multidecadal time series of satellite observations, such as those from Landsat, offer the possibility to study trends in vegetation greenness at unprecedented spatial and temporal scales. Alpine ecosystems have exhibited large increases seen space; nevertheless, ecological processes underlying alpine greening rarely been investigated. Here, we used a unique dataset forest stand structure characteristics derived manually orthorectified high‐resolution diachronic images (1983 2018), dendrochronology LiDAR analysis decipher southwestern French Alps, formerly identified hotspot scale European Alps by previous studies. We found that most this area can be attributed dynamics, including ingrowth treeline upward shift. Furthermore, showed magnitude was highest pixels/areas where trees were first established beginning Landsat mid‐80s corresponding specific successional stage. In these pixels, observe wave establishment grown between 1984 2023, while over same period, younger gaps, leading both vertical horizontal cover. This provides an in‐depth description causal relationship dynamics greening, providing example how translate into radiometric signals, also paving way for large‐scale using remote sensing.

Language: Английский

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Ecosystem shifts in Alpine streams under glacier retreat and rock glacier thaw: A review

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 675, P. 542 - 559

Published: April 16, 2019

Language: Английский

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Spatio-temporal changes in ecosystem service values: Effects of land-use changes from past to future (1860–2100)

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 272, P. 111068 - 111068

Published: July 17, 2020

Increasing global pressure on natural resources requires that decision makers and land managers adopt sustainable solutions to ensure the long-term provision of essential ecosystem services (ES). Analysing effects land-use changes ES can contribute an improved understanding interactions between socio-economic development, landscape ES, which is fundamental in order avoid or mitigate undesired consequences today's decisions. Studies at longer timescales are still underrepresented, but also for capturing slow social ecological processes. This study therefore analysed impacts land-use/land cover (LULC) values from past future (1860-2100) Autonomous Province South Tyrol (Italy). Future scenarios were based storylines their spatial distribution mapped. By attributing LULC types, we assessed as well patterns. Our results indicate abandonment mountain grassland induced ongoing shift higher elevations, grassland-related towards forest-related ES. The intensification use valley bottoms had predominantly negative regulation & maintenance, cultural past. Under scenarios, lower elevations greatly depend expected development. Negative maintenance highest 'Food sovereignty' scenario due huge transformations permanent cultures arable optimise food regional level. In contrast, under 'Liberalisation' 'Rewilding' there positive trends provisioning less within area, dependence imported products increased. findings provide valuable information decision-making policy development minimise through targeted management measures payments environmental services.

Language: Английский

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Risk perception of climate change and natural hazards in global mountain regions: A critical review

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 784, P. 146957 - 146957

Published: April 7, 2021

Mountains are highly sensitive to climate change. Their elevated areas provide essential ecosystem services both for the surrounding mountainous regions and particularly adjacent lowlands. Impacts of a warmer affect these have negative consequences on supply water, biodiversity protection from natural hazards. Mountain social-ecological systems affected by changes, which also influence communities' risk perception responses changing conditions. Therefore, understand individual societal change in mountain areas, aspects drivers need be scrutinised. This article presents findings literature review recent English language publications connection related hazards worldwide. Studies were selected recorded entries JSTOR, Science Direct, Scopus Web covering period 2000–2019 analysed two steps (structured exploratory analysis, n = 249 in-depth 72) with respect studies' research question, methodology, geographical scope drivers. The reveals that socio-demographic factors, like gender, age personal experiences, crucial impact perception. Some less tangible but nevertheless decisive factors important such as place attachment socio-cultural practices. In conclusion, there is however little information addresses specific situation its environmental changes. Further, we observed strong gap concerning integration indigenous knowledge research. Many studies overlook or oversimplify local cultural dimensions Based results, paper identifies several gaps may design management strategies well their successful implementation.

Language: Английский

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Influence of climate, soil, and land cover on plant species distribution in the European Alps

Ecological Monographs, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 91(2)

Published: Sept. 23, 2020

Abstract Although the importance of edaphic factors and habitat structure for plant growth survival is known, both are often neglected in favor climatic drivers when investigating spatial patterns species diversity. Yet, especially mountain ecosystems with complex topography, missing components may be detrimental a sound understanding biodiversity distribution. Here, we compare relative climate, soil land cover variables predicting distributions 2,616 vascular European Alps, representing approximately two‐thirds all flora. Using presence‐only data, built point‐process models (PPMs) to relate observations different combinations covariates. We evaluated PPMs through block cross‐validations assessed independent contributions soil, covariates predict using an innovative predictive partitioning approach. found climate most influential driver influence ~58.5% across species, decreasing from low high elevations. Soil (~20.1%) (~21.4%), overall, were less than but increased along elevation gradient. Furthermore, showed strong local effects lowlands, while contribution stabilized at mid‐elevations. The explained by increasing endemism, fact that becomes more homogeneous as diversity declines higher altitudes. In contrast, predictors follow opposite trend. Additionally, elevations, human‐mediated appear reduce predictors. conclude are, like principal distribution Alps. While disentangling their remains challenge, future studies can benefit markedly including distributions.

Language: Английский

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The tempo of greening in the European Alps: Spatial variations on a common theme

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 27(21), P. 5614 - 5628

Published: Sept. 3, 2021

The long-term increase in satellite-based proxies of vegetation cover is a well-documented response seasonally snow-covered ecosystems to climate warming. However, observed greening trends are far from uniform, and substantial uncertainty remains concerning the underlying causes this spatial variability. Here, we processed surface reflectance moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) investigate drivers changes annual peak values Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Our study focuses on above-treeline European Alps. NDVI these highly sensitive land biomass marginally affected by anthropogenic disturbances. We widespread for 2000-2020 period, pattern that consistent with overall summer temperature. At local scale, variability was mainly due preferential north-facing slopes between 1900 2400 m. Using high-resolution imagery, noticed presence screes outcrops locally magnified response. regional identified hotspots where sparser than expected given elevation exposure. Most experienced delayed snow melt green-up dates recent years. conclude ongoing Alps primarily reflects high responsiveness sparsely vegetated able benefit most temperature water-related habitat amelioration above treeline.

Language: Английский

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The old and the new on threats to high-mountain lakes in the Alps: A comprehensive examination with future research directions

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 160, P. 111812 - 111812

Published: Feb. 27, 2024

The high-mountain lakes of the Alps, perched like glistening gems in cradle Europe's most formidable mountain range, have for generations epitomized nature's majesty. These remote and pristine bodies water served as invaluable sentinels global change, repositories geological history, sources freshwater surrounding regions. Yet, despite their seemingly imperturbable beauty seclusion, these are not immune to evolving forces our changing world. Re-emerging threats, exacerbated by relentless march climate change intensified human activities, cast a shadow over future, posing profound challenges that demand attention. aim this perspective is shed light on main emerging raise awareness, advocate proactive actions aimed at preserving protecting lakes. threats include retreat glaciers, UV radiation, long-range transport contaminants, impact alien species usage Alpine storage power stations. Additionally, increased tourism recreational activities environments can cause habitat disturbance, further endangering unique ecosystems. present article also offers valuable perspectives necessity monitoring research efforts Such crucial comprehending ecological well-being ecosystems, evaluating consequences environmental shifts, devising successful conservation strategies.

Language: Английский

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Treeline displacement may affect lake dissolved organic matter processing at high latitudes and altitudes

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: March 26, 2024

Abstract Climate change induced shifts in treeline position, both towards higher altitudes and latitudes induce changes soil organic matter. Eventually, matter is transported to alpine subarctic lakes with yet unknown consequences for dissolved (DOM) diversity processing. Here, we experimentally investigate the of by amending temperate lake water soil-derived DOM from above below treeline. We use ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) track molecular (i.e., chemodiversity), estimate decay measure bacterial growth efficiency. In lakes, increases chemodiversity mainly through enrichment polyphenolic highly unsaturated compounds. These compositional are associated reductions bulk compound-level reactivity reduced Our results suggest that advancement has potential enrich a large number ecosystems less biodegradable DOM, affecting community function potentially altering biogeochemical cycling carbon at high altitudes.

Language: Английский

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