Trakar
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- Feb 28, 2011
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http://www.sciencewa.net.au/topics/environment-a-conservation/item/2162-new-model-shows-responsive-plant-species-to-climate-change.html
Interesting new science understanding demonstrates some of the problems inherent to rapid changes of climate.
Plant migration and persistence under climate change in fragmented landscapes: Does it depend on the key point of vulnerability within the lifecycle? - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304380012003304
Interesting new science understanding demonstrates some of the problems inherent to rapid changes of climate.
Researchers have developed a dynamic model, Plant Persistence under Climate Change (PPunCC), which identifies a plant species ability to migrate fast enough to avoid extinction due to changing climate.
Of particular interest is that this study does more than just identify the problems of previous studies and examinations of the issue, it also examines some of the potential and proposed addressments to the problem of fragmented ecosystems in a rapidly changing climate backdrop.The likelihood of a plant species persisting will depend on rate of climate change, amount of landscape fragmentation, as well as species lifecycle, study co-author and UWA School of Plant Biologys Dr Michael Renton says
It also explored whether targeted restoration of fragmented landscapes increases the probability of species survival.
Reference:The PPunCC model predicted that 16 per cent of annuals and perennials will migrate fast enough in fragmented landscapes to survive. For annuals, targeted restoration increases survival to 40 per cent, with a bleaker 24 per cent for perennials.
The worst case was treesrestoration increases their survival to 16 per cent. Trees are particularly vulnerable because they take longer to mature and produce seed.
Under current and predicted rates of climate change, many species are likely to become extinct unless we consider options such as assisted relocation. Worst affected are likely to be iconic tree species that people tend to care about the most, says Dr Renton.
We didnt expect such big differences between the annuals and the trees, nor such bleak outcomes overall.
Plant migration and persistence under climate change in fragmented landscapes: Does it depend on the key point of vulnerability within the lifecycle? - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304380012003304