M. Stenstrom et al., RESPONSE OF SAXIFRAGA-OPPOSITIFOLIA L. TO SIMULATED CLIMATE-CHANGE AT3 CONTRASTING LATITUDES, Global change biology, 3, 1997, pp. 44-54
Saxifraga oppositifolia, a widespread circum-arctic and alpine plant s
pecies, was exposed to increased temperature at three ITEX sites of di
fferent latitudes: Val Bercla in the Swiss Alps (46 degrees N), Latnja
jaure in mid-alpine Northern Sweden (68 degrees N), and Alexandra Fjor
d, Ellesmere Island (79 degrees N) in the Canadian High Arctic. Phenol
ogy, growth, and reproduction were monitored for 2 or 3 consecutive ye
ars. Increased temperature had little influence on the phenology of S.
oppositifolia, although flowering period was somewhat longer and poll
ination earlier in the experimental plots. A decrease in the density o
f flowers on each plant was noted at two sites over 3 years, with a sl
ightly larger decrease in the warmed plots. The few changes observed i
n reproductive variables (e.g. fruit: newer ratio) are mostly assigned
to increased shading by taller growing neighbouring plants of other s
pecies, thus limiting performance of the shade-intolerant S. oppositif
olia. It is assumed that survival of this species, especially at the l
ower limits of its altitudinal and latitudinal distribution, will depe
nd on seed dispersal to new, open habitats.