Moveclim, Montane vegetation as listening posts for climate change
Written by Modified on the
Recent climate change has deeply affected the unique and vulnerable polar and high mountain ecosystems. However, due to limited knowledge, high uncertainty remains regarding similar effects on tropical biotas. In Moveclim project, tropical bryophytes and ferns are studied and promoted as bioindicators of climate change. These highly diverse plants, widely acknowledged as crucial ecosystem components, remain among the least known groups.
This project sets up the first comparative analysis of tropical biodiversity along altitudinal gradients in multiple islands. It assembles an international and multidisciplinary network across the islands of La Réunion (Mascarenes), Guadeloupe (Antilles), Pico (Azores), La Palma (Canaries) and Tahiti (French Polynesia). Partners with expertise in the field of biodiversity research and conservation include universities, research centres and national parks.
The intended project specifically aims to:
(1) Characterize bryophyte and fern diversity along altitudinal gradients from lowland to summit and from the gene to community level,
(2) Relate species diversity and distribution patterns to relevant life-history and functional traits,
(3) Compare relationships between diversity and predictors across the islands,
(4) Model species response to climate change in terms of range shifts,
(5) Establish permanent plots for long-term vegetation monitoring. Scientific networking will include intensive sampling and environment monitoring across the islands. Novel modeling approaches will help infer the relationships between species performance and local conditions. The derived results will bring new evidence regarding species and community responses to climate change.