Why would plant species become extinct locally if growing conditions improve?

wo assumptions underlie current models of the geographical ranges of perennial plant species: 1. current ranges are in equilibrium with the prevailing climate, and 2. changes are attributable to changes in macroclimatic factors, including tolerance of winter cold, the duration of the growing season, and water stress during the growing season, rather than to biotic interactions. These assumptions allow model parameters to be estimated from current species ranges. Deterioration of growing conditions due to climate change, e.g. more severe drought, will cause local extinction. However, for many plant species, the predicted climate change of higher minimum temperatures and longer growing seasons means, improved growing conditions. Biogeographical models may under some circumstances predict that a species will become locally extinct, despite improved growing conditions, because they are based on an assumption of equilibrium and this forces the species range to match the species-specific macroclimatic thresholds. We argue that such model predictions should be rejected unless there is evidence either that competition influences the position of the range margins or that a certain physiological mechanism associated with the apparent improvement in growing conditions negatively affects the species performance. We illustrate how a process-based vegetation model can be used to ascertain whether such a physiological cause exists. To avoid potential modelling errors of this type, we propose a method that constrains the scenario predictions of the envelope models by changing the geographical distribution of the dominant plant functional type. Consistent modelling results are very important for evaluating how changes in species areas affect local functional trait diversity and hence ecosystem functioning and resilience, and for inferring the implications for conservation management in the face of climate change

Habitatrichtlijnrapportage 2019: Annex D Habitattypen : Achtergronddocument

This document describes the concepts, data and methods used in the 2019 report (under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive) on the conservation status of habitat types for the parameters range, area, structure and functions, and future prospects. The ranges of nearly all habitat types have not changed. No reliable, updated data on area were available for most habitat types. The methodology for assessing structure and functions has been thoroughly revised to accommodate long-term monitoring data and meet the new reporting formats. The European Commission has also introduced a new method for assessing future prospects. The report presents the results and indicates where the methods and data can be improved

Why Would Plant Species Become Extinct Locally If Growing Conditions Improve?

Two assumptions underlie current models of the geographical ranges of perennial plant species: 1. current ranges are in equilibrium with the prevailing climate, and 2. changes are attributable to changes in macroclimatic factors, including tolerance of winter cold, the duration of the growing season, and water stress during the growing season, rather than to biotic interactions. These assumptions allow model parameters to be estimated from current species ranges. Deterioration of growing conditions due to climate change, e.g. more severe drought, will cause local extinction. However, for many plant species, the predicted climate change of higher minimum temperatures and longer growing seasons means, improved growing conditions. Biogeographical models may under some circumstances predict that a species will become locally extinct, despite improved growing conditions, because they are based on an assumption of equilibrium and this forces the species range to match the species-specific macroclimatic thresholds. We argue that such model predictions should be rejected unless there is evidence either that competition influences the position of the range margins or that a certain physiological mechanism associated with the apparent improvement in growing conditions negatively affects the species performance. We illustrate how a process-based vegetation model can be used to ascertain whether such a physiological cause exists. To avoid potential modelling errors of this type, we propose a method that constrains the scenario predictions of the envelope models by changing the geographical distribution of the dominant plant functional type. Consistent modelling results are very important for evaluating how changes in species areas affect local functional trait diversity and hence ecosystem functioning and resilience, and for inferring the implications for conservation management in the face of climate change.</p

Historisch-ecologische samenhang tussen cultuurhistorie en vegetatie in het Nationale Park De Hoge Veluwe

Hoewel het landschap in het Nationale Park De Hoge Veluwe op het eerste gezicht grotendeels natuurlijk lijkt, blijkt bij nadere beschouwing dat de mens in vrijwel alle tijden van de geschiedenis grote invloed op de natuur van dit gebied heeft uitgeoefend. Juist de eeuwenlange wisselwerking tussen natuur en mens maakt De Hoge Veluwe tot een interessante staalkaart van historisch-ecologische landschappen. Kennis van de cultuurhistorische gelaagdheid en van het historisch ontstaan en beheer van lokale ecosystemen biedt belangrijke handvatten voor toekomstig beheer

Naar een hoger doelbereik van de Vogel- en Habitatrichtlijn in Nederland : Een analyse van de resterende opgave na 2027 voor het bereiken van een gunstige staat van instandhouding van alle habitattypen en VHR-soorten

The evaluation of the Nature Pact in 2017 showed that the intended nature policy would only lead to about 65% of the target range of the Birds and Habitats Directive in 2027. In 2019 the Dutch Parliament asked for a further exploration of the remaining task in order to achieve a higher target range. This analysis of all VHR species and habitat types confirms the earlier picture and indicates for which VHR species and habitat types the provinces have a special responsibility. An indication is given per province for which measures in which ecosystems should be given priority. It is also indicated with which other provinces could best be cooperated to achieve a favorable conservation status