Influence of microclimate and geomorphological factors on alpine vegetation in the Western Swiss Alps

Détails

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Etat: Public
Version: de l'auteur⸱e
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ID Serval
serval:BIB_BC325390EDEB
Type
Article: article d'un périodique ou d'un magazine.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Titre
Influence of microclimate and geomorphological factors on alpine vegetation in the Western Swiss Alps
Périodique
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
Auteur⸱e⸱s
Giaccone E., Luoto M., Vittoz P., Guisan A., Mariéthoz G., Lambiel C.
ISSN
0197-9337
1096-9837
Statut éditorial
Publié
Date de publication
26/12/2019
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
44
Numéro
15
Pages
3093-3107
Langue
anglais
Résumé
Among the numerous environmental factors affecting plant communities in alpine ecosystems, the influence of geomorphic processes and landforms has been minimally investigated. Subjected to persistent climate warming, it is vital to understand how these factors affect vegetation properties. Here, we studied 72 vegetation plots across three sites located in the Western Swiss Alps, characterized by high geomorphological variability and plant diversity. For each plot, vascular plant species were inventoried and ground surface temperature, soil moisture, topographic variables, earth surface processes (ESPs) and landform morphodynamics were assessed. The relationships between plant communities and environmental variables were analysed using non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) and multivariate regression techniques (generalized linear model, GLM, and generalized additive model, GAM). Landform morphodynamics, growing degree days (sum of degree days above 5°C) and mean ground surface temperature were the most important explanatory variables of plant community composition. Furthermore, the regression models for species cover and species richness were significantly improved by adding a morphodynamics variable. This study provides complementary support that landform morphodynamics is a key factor, combined with growing degree days, to explain alpine plant distribution and community composition.
Mots-clé
alpine environment, geomorphology, earth surface processes, vegetation community
Création de la notice
18/09/2019 13:59
Dernière modification de la notice
03/12/2022 6:48
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