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Trees in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest Adjusting to Climate Change
Recent research indicates that trees within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest are adapting their locations in response to shifting climate conditions. Notably, species residing in mountainous areas are increasingly migrating upward to escape the effects of rising temperatures, highlighting the forest’s response to climate change.
In higher elevations of the Atlantic Forest, scientists have observed that many tree species are relocating upwards. However, those trees that flourish in cooler climates face a heightened risk of extinction as global temperatures continue to rise. Moreover, studies reveal that some species residing in lower elevation forests are moving downhill.
This groundbreaking research, published on July 23 in the Journal of Vegetation Science, marks an important milestone in understanding how climate change is impacting the diverse species composition within the Atlantic Forest, renowned for its ecological richness.
Lead author Dr. Rodrigo Bergamin from the University of Birmingham noted, “Our findings indicate that different species exhibit various migration patterns—while trees in lower regions are more often heading downhill, likely due to competitive dynamics beyond temperature, the majority of the species in elevated areas are moving upward as the climate warms.” He emphasized that this pattern may lead to cooler-adapted species facing significant threats if temperatures continue to increase.
The research team conducted an extensive analysis involving 627 tree species across 96 monitoring sites within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest to develop community temperature scores (CTS), providing insights into climate trends and species adaptations throughout the region.
Additionally, the study highlighted that younger trees in higher-altitude forests are moving uphill and demonstrating greater growth compared to older populations. Prof. Sandra Müller, a senior researcher from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, stated, “Higher altitude species tend to be more vulnerable to changes in temperature. Those trees requiring cooler conditions are increasingly challenged by competition from those better suited to warmer climates.”
The Brazilian Atlantic Forest, also referred to as Mata Atlântica, spans from the northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte to Rio Grande do Sul in the south, reaching inland into Paraguay and Argentina’s Misiones province. As one of the globe’s foremost biodiversity hotspots, it shelters a wealth of unique species and ecosystems.
Dr. Adriane Esquivel Muelbert, an associate professor at the University of Birmingham and co-author of the study, remarked, “While our study provides insights into the southern region of the Atlantic Forest, we anticipate that other areas may exhibit different trends. We are collaborating with researchers across the entire biome to paint a comprehensive picture of the ecological changes occurring in response to global climate change.”
More information: Rodrigo Scarton Bergamin et al, Elevational shifts in tree community composition in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest related to climate change, Journal of Vegetation Science (2024). DOI: 10.1111/jvs.13289
Citation: Heat-sensitive trees moving uphill due to rising temperatures, study finds (2024, July 23) retrieved 23 July 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2024-07-sensitive-trees-uphill-due-temperatures.html
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