Unexpected shifts in the westward distribution of European forest plants have been discovered by researchers from the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research.
The reasons for this were the accumulation of nitrogen and, to a lesser extent, climate change, the press service of the establishment reports.
While it is generally believed that rising temperatures are pushing many species into cooler northern areas, the study found that moving west is 2.6 times more likely than moving north.
The researchers analyzed changes in the ranges of 266 forest plant species across Europe over several decades, with the first measurements in some locations dating back to 1933. In particular, the study included several of Europe’s most emblematic forests, such as the Belovezhskaya Pushcha forest in Poland.
As a result, scientists found that:
- European forest plants change their range at an average rate of 3.6 km per year;
- 39% of plant species are moving west. Northward shifts are observed for only 15% of species;
- in particular, common dock (Oxalis acetosella) migrates westward at a rate of about 5 km per year, and northward at only about 0.1 km per year;
- Nitrogen deposition, rather than climate change, is, oddly enough, the main factor driving the westward shift of European forest plant ranges.
The study challenges the conventional wisdom that climate change is the main reason species are moving north. This finding changes our understanding of how environmental factors, particularly nitrogen deposition, influence biodiversity,” the paper notes.
It is noted that high levels of nitrogen deposition as a result of atmospheric pollution contribute to the rapid spread of nitrogen-tolerant plant species mainly from Eastern Europe.
The establishment of these highly competitive species in areas with high levels of nitrogen deposition often occurs at the expense of more specialized plant species, the article says.
Thus, future patterns of biodiversity will be determined by complex interactions between multiple changes in the environment, and not just the influence of climate change, the scientists note.
Climate change is often cited as a major culprit in shifting plant species’ ranges, but key interactions with historically important factors are often overlooked, the researchers note. — In recent decades, most changes in the ranges of European forest plants are associated with nitrogen deposition and only to a lesser extent with climate change.
This raises an important question: How can ecosystems adapt to rising temperatures when changes in biodiversity are driven largely by other environmental changes, particularly air pollution? – scientists add. “Understanding these complex interactions is critical for land managers and policymakers to protect biodiversity and ecosystem function.”
The earth is deforming due to climate change.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.