Global Warming has unexpected effects on ranges

[liveonearth]

http://www.npr.org/2011/01/21/133092677/calif-plants-put-a-wrinkle-in-climate-change-plans

A new study shows that instead of heading for higher elevations as the climate warms up, some plants and insects are shifting their ranges downhill, toward water.


Science Mag
study area: Northern half Ca
pulled vegetation records from 1930's started during great depression
compared with veg records more recent
many plant species ranges had moved downhill by 80 meters/240 feet

conservationists take heed
SAVE RIPARIAN AREAS EVERYWHERE!
(that's my editorial)

most evidence re global warming is about temperature, not precip
plant communities may change direction of migration depending on where precip falls

Comments

[skyojos.livejournal.com]

hmmmmm... very very interesting and mind expanding. And, yes, brings to mind the very successful plant species that have established themselves along waterways and compete for consumption of the water supply, even to the point of completely drying up the above ground flow.