Species range dynamics decrease with elevation in the European Alps
Sabine Rumpf, University of Vienna (AT)
We re-surveyed 1576 historical relevés across the elevational gradient of the Alps of which 74% are located in protected areas, covering the change of whole elevational ranges of 183 plant species. Species' ranges shifted uphill with a clear elevational trend: the lower a species was located historically the more pronounced was its upward shift. This trend is consistent with stronger warming, land use changes and increases in concurrence pressure at lower elevations. Thus, species of higher elevations are under double pressure of environmental change and faster shifting novel competitors.