Long-Term Changes in Alpine Plant Communities in Norway and Finland

Abstract

High-mountain environments are regarded as susceptible to environmental change such as the global warming of climate (Grabherr et al. 1995; Körner 1999). It has been predicted that, in a warmer climate, lowland plants would migrate upwards and plant communities typically found in areas with late or moderate snow cover would be invaded by plant species characteristic of more favourable, lowland habitats (Holten and Carey 1992).Grabherr et al. (1994) presented evidence of upward migration of plants on mountain tops. Although migration may increase species richness in some habitats, elsewhere it may pose a threat. Some mountain plants are expected to decrease due to increased competition and changes in environmental conditions (Saetersdal and Birks 1997). Recent experiments have shown that temperature conditions strongly affect plant performance in alpine environments (Galen and Stanton 1993; Molau and Alatalo 1998; Totland and Nyléhn 1998); however, short-term experiments may give insufficient information on long-term vegetation changes.