Comparison of Species Composition and Climate Drivers in High-Latitude
Alpine Ecosystems and High-Altitude Alpine Ecosystems
Abstract
This study aims to explore the species composition and climatic drivers
of two distinct alpine ecosystems: the High-Latitude Alpine Ecosystems
(HLAE) of Hardangervidda National Park, Norway, and the High-Altitude
Alpine Ecosystems (HAAE) of the Tibetan Plateau. These ecosystems have
variations in environmental factors like solar radiation and topography,
but they are characterized by low temperatures, precipitation, and
sensitivity to climate change. Data were collected from 40 plots of 100
square meters in each ecosystem, and Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling
(NMDS) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) were employed to
assess species composition and identify key climatic factors influencing
these patterns. The results revealed notable differences between the
species found in HLAE and those in HAAE. HLAE species were found to be
more temperature-sensitive, while HAAE species were found to be more
responsive to precipitation. Specifically, Growing Season Length (GSL)
and Annual Precipitation (AP) were critical for species composition in
HAAE, whereas Mean Temperature of the Warmest Quarter (MTWQ) and Mean
Annual Temperature (MAT) were more influential in HLAE. The specific
ecological responses of these systems to climate change are discussed,
and the study highlights the significance of considering both climatic
and non-climatic aspects in understanding species composition in alpine
ecosystems.