Plant diversity dynamics over space and time in a warming Arctic
Abstract
Abstract The Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average1 and plant communities are responding through shifts in species abundance, composition and distribution2–4. However, the direction and magnitude of local changes in plant diversity in the Arctic have not been quantified. Using a compilation of 42,234 records of 490 vascular plant species from 2,174 plots across the Arctic, here we quantified temporal changes in species richness and composition through repeat surveys between 1981 and 2022. We also identified the geographical, climatic and biotic drivers behind these changes. We found greater species richness at lower latitudes and warmer sites, but no indication that, on average, species richness had changed directionally over time. However, species turnover was widespread, with 59% of plots gaining and/or losing species. Proportions of species gains and losses were greater where temperatures had increased the most. Shrub expansion, particularly of erect shrubs, was associated with greater species losses and decreasing species richness. Despite changes in plant composition, Arctic plant communities did not become more similar to each other, suggesting no biotic homogenization so far. Overall, Arctic plant communities changed in richness and composition in different directions, with temperature and plant–plant interactions emerging as the main drivers of change. Our findings demonstrate how climate and biotic drivers can act in concert to alter plant composition, which could precede future biodiversity changes that are likely to affect ecosystem function, wildlife habitats and the livelihoods of Arctic peoples5,6.
Article Details
Authors (54)
Mariana García Criado
Isla H. Myers-Smith
Anne D. Bjorkman
Sarah C. Elmendorf
Signe Normand
Peter Aastrup
Rien Aerts
Juha M. Alatalo
Lander Baeten
Robert G. Björk
Mats P. Björkman
Noémie Boulanger-Lapointe
Ethan E. Butler
Elisabeth J. Cooper
J. Hans C. Cornelissen
Gergana N. Daskalova
Belen Fadrique
Bruce C. Forbes
Greg H. R. Henry
Robert D. Hollister
Toke Thomas Høye
Ida Bomholt Dyrholm Jacobsen
Annika K. Jägerbrand
Ingibjörg S. Jónsdóttir
Elina Kaarlejärvi
Olga Khitun
Kari Klanderud
Tiina H. M. Kolari
Simone I. Lang
Nicolas Lecomte
Jonathan Lenoir
Petr Macek
Julie Messier
Anders Michelsen
Ulf Molau
Robert Muscarella
Marie-Louise Nielsen
Matteo Petit Bon
Eric Post
Katrine Raundrup
Riikka Rinnan
Christian Rixen
Ingvild Ryde
Josep M. Serra-Diaz
Gabriela Schaepman-Strub
Niels M. Schmidt
Franziska Schrodt
Sofie Sjögersten
Manuel J. Steinbauer
Lærke Stewart
Beate Strandberg
Anne Tolvanen
Craig E. Tweedie
Mark Vellend