mountain biodiversity in a global perspective · 2016-12-19 · habitat vegetation class plant...
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MountainBiodiversity
in a Global Perspective
G.Grabherr
Mountains as biodiversity hot spots
Mountains as learning ground on biodiversity
Mountain ecosystems – goods and services
Halting mountain biodiversity loss
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Mountains are biodiversity hot spots
Mountainsare „enginesof evolution“
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Väre et al. 2003
~ 25% of Europe‘svascular plant flora
is alpine, i.e. restricted
to 3% of its territory
c M. Knollseisen
c M. Knollseisen
Bearded VultureNarrow endemicsEchium wildpretii
Spectacular flagships
Narrow endemicsEchium wildpretii
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ESCPY
116
SELAT
131
UKCAI
14
RUNUR
72
NODOV
67
CHVAL
137
GECAK
115
FRAME
79
ITCAM
93
SKCTA
65
ROCRO46
RUSUR
75
ATHSW
174
ITADO
198
ITNAP
169FRCRI
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ESSNE
79
GRLEO
70991 taxa (spp. and subspp.)
248 taxaendemic s.l.
99 taxaendemic s.str.
European mountain systems:vascular plant species richness (GLORIA)
Treeline ecotone
Lower alpine
Upper alpine
Sub-nival
Biodiversity – a result of environmental heterogeneity
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The alpine environments
(=above treeline) are
„islands in the sky“
Mountain valleys are narrowcorridors
Red >2200m
The Alps
Blue >1000mHorizontal heterogeneity
Valley bottom„submontan/montane“
Valley slopes„montane/subalpine“
Above treeline„alpine“
Above permanent snow line„nival“
Vertical heterogeneity
Verwall/ Austria
The zonal structure of mountains
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Dwarf shrub heath
Fjellfield
Moistmeadow
SnowbedTall forbs
Rocks
Mire
Talus
Daisetzushan/ JapanPinus pumilio-prostrate forest
Topographic heterogeneity – divers mosaik of different habitats
5063** Grabherr, unpubl.*From Bowman & Seastedt (2001)
50Dwarf shrubs,lichens
Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea
Dwarf shrubheath
68Tall herbs,prostrate shrubs
Betulo-AdenostyleteaTall herb/alpine shrubland
54Mosses, herbsMontio-Cardaminetea
Springs, seeps
412Cyperaceae, herbs, mosses
Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae
Bogs, marshes,wet meadows
619grasses, mosses,tiny willows
Salicetea herbaceaeMoist meadowsand snow beds
2 + 117 + 0graminoids,herbs, lichens
Elyno-SeslerieteaCaricetea curvulae
Dry meadows and fjellfields
76“soft herbs”,grasses
Thlaspietearotundifolia
Screes, moraines
46tiny ferns,cushions
Asplenietea rupestriaRock habitats,rocky ridges
Gurgler** Hauptkamm
Niwot Ridge*Major component
Vegetation classHabitat
plant communities (associations)
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Mountains as learning ground on biodiversity
Dendrosenecio adnivalisRuwenzori Pinus longaeva / White Mountains
Learning about life strategiesin a stressful environment
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Expansion and dispersal of thedominating sedgespecies Carex curvula in alpine grasslands of theAlps
Carex curvula –dry meadow
Vegetative expansion: 1mm.y-1
Dispersal bySeeds
neglectable
25 years
Low process rates
Capra ibex/ Alps
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Molau 2003
Southern Ural; Shiyatov S.G. unpubl.
Learningabout
Climate Change
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Androsace alpina Carex curvula
+5 K
+2. 5
+1.25
Model study and monitoring at GLORIA-master station Mt Schrankogel/Austrian Alps
1994 2004
Modeling, process studies and observations should be
conducted in an integrated effort
1994 2004
Gottfried M./ Pauli H. (unpubl.)
Mountain ecosystems– goods and services
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Nighttimeluminosity
C. Plutzar, unpubl.
A longer term vision forbiodiversity and the EU
A biodiverse EU assuringthe flow of ecosystem serviceswhich underpin prosperity, competitivity and qualityof life
Flow of ecosystem servicesis the single most importantreason for conservingbiodiversity
Communication from the Commisson to the European Parlament and the Council15 November 2005 (draft version)
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Weidevieh, Hochschwab Schafe am Gletscher, Zermatt
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tourism/ recreation
water retention
preventing hazards
pasturing (cattle, sheep)
spiritual values
revegetating
sports
There are few places in Europe where biodiversity is so important forhuman wellbeing than in mountains
medicinal plants
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The Key Challenge to Science: Define Favourable States to Assure the
Flow of Ecosystem ServicesCriteria e.g. as discussed by European Community for habitats
of community interest: i.e.range, size, structure and function
Thank‘s for yourAttention
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Biodiversity – a result of environmental heterogeneity
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• Halting mountain biodiversity loss
Key challenges:
- Safegarding priority sites and species (strengthen coherence and connectivity of the network, expand species action plan)
- Conserving and restoring biodiversity in the wider countryside (matrix forbiodiversity
- Conserving and restoring biodiversity in the wider matine environment- Making developement more biodiversity-friendly- Supporting biodiversity adaptation to climate change- Reducing the impact of invasive alien species- Integrating biodiversity concerns into policymaking (potential impact of new
policies; recognition in impact assessment, value of natural capital and ecosystem services)
- Strengthening support to biodiversity in EU economic and developmentassistance
- Tackling the impact on trade on biodiversity- Strengthening international gouvernance for biodiversity
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Challenge 1Safegarding priority sites and species
• Complete, designate, finance and ensure effectivemangement of NATURA2000
• Strengthen coherence and connectivity of the network, expand species action plan
• Research needs:
Processes driven by thephysical environment:
- climate driven processes(threshold events in particular)
- cryospheric processes- erosion, primary succession
Grabherr, Gottfried, Pauli 1994
Dolomites/ Italy
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• Implement biodiversity related measures under Common Agriculturaland forestry Policy
• U.a.enhance biodiversity value of farm and forest lands, notably bypreventing intensification or abandonement of high nature value
• Research needs
Challenge II Conserving and restoring biodiversity in the wider countryside
Challenge 3 Conserving and restoring biodiversity in thewider marine environment
• Implement biodiversity related measures under theCommon Fishery Policy
• Reduce pollutant pressure; supporting recovery of harvested stocks, and reducing impacts on non targetspecies and marine habitats
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Challenge 4 Making development more biodiversity-friendly
• Conserving and management of biodiversity will be a loosing battle without more vigorous approaches to adressthe impacts of developmental activities
• Conflicts can be reduced
Challenge 5: Supporting biodiversity adaptation to climatechange
• Reduce existing pressure arising from habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, overexploitation, pollutionetc.
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Challenge 6: Reducing the impact of alien species
• Integrating biodiversity concerns into policy making
Key Challenge 7: Integrating biodiversity concerns intopolicymaking
• Strengthen understanding and communication of the valueof natural capital and ecosystem services
• Ensure biodiversity concerns full recognised in environmental impact assessment
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Challenge 8: Strengthening support to biodiversity in EU economic and development assistance
• Enhance earmarked funding to biodiversity programmes
Challenge 9:Tackling the impact of trade on biodiversity
• Adressing the EU‘s ecological footprint
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Key challenge 10: Strengthening international gouvernancefor biodiversity
• Continue to press implementation of CBD
A longer term vision for biodiversity and the EU
• A biodiverse EU assuring the flow of ecosystem serviceswhich underpin prosperity, competitivity and quality of life
• Flow of ecosystem services is the single most importantreason for conserving biodiversity
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• Research needs
High plant species and habitat richness: e.g. ~ 25% of the total European vascular plant flora is alpine
Assessment of spatial community pattern is a prerequisit for biodiversity management
Space demand of plantcommunities often <10m²
(e.g. mires, snow patches) Rhododendron camtschaticum
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GefäßpflanzenAmphibienSäugetiere