Potential impact of climate change on vegetation in the European Alps: A review

Based on conclusions drawn from general climatic impact assessment in mount ain regions, the review synthesizes results relevant to the European Alps p ublished mainly from 1994 onward in the fields of population genetics, ecop hysiology, phenology, phytogeography, modeling, paleoecology and vegetation dynamics. Other important factors of global change interacting synergistic ally with climatic factors are also mentioned, such as atmospheric CO2 conc entration, eutrophication, ozone or changes in land-use. Topics addressed a re general species distribution and populations (persistence, acclimation, genetic variability, dispersal, fragmentation, plant/animal interaction, sp ecies richness, conservation), potential response of vegetation (ecotonal s hift - area, physiography - changes in the composition, structural changes) , phenology, growth and productivity, and landscape. In conclusion, the Eur opean Alps appear to have a natural inertia and thus to tolerate an increas e of 1-2 K of mean air temperature as far as plant species and ecosystems a re concerned in general. However, the impact of land-use is very likely to negate this buffer in many areas. For a change of the order of 3 K or more, profound changes may be expected.