Solid as a rock: The main drivers of changes in natural, rocky plant communities

• DOI: 10.1111/jvs.13263
• Publication Date: 2024-05-15T13:54:36Z
• Authors: Kamila Reczyńska; Krzysztof Świerkosz
• Keywords: Rocky shore

Abstract Question Changes caused by climate warming and nitrogen pollution are observed in forest, grassland alpine ecosystems worldwide. However, still little is known about the impact of these globally influencing factors on natural rocky plant communities. Has species composition communities changed over time? What role large‐scale fine‐scale environmental shaping compositional, functional habitat patterns studied Location Sudetes Mountains, southwestern Poland. Methods We used 214 pairs replots (collected between 1989 2022) communities, with a mean timespan 14.2 years. The changes composition, conditions traits were analysed using ordination techniques generalised additive models (GAMs) reference to (mean maximum temperatures, actual evapotranspiration, N deposition) (light availability, bedrock type, initial site conditions) for each locality. Results Species has not significantly time. Only 11 out 258 species, statistically significant increases (from 2% 8%) their proportion recorded. influenced mainly such as light availability baseline conditions. Plots that initially less thermophilic or nitrophilic showed stronger signals thermophilisation eutrophication resurvey. influence was considerably pronounced. Similarly, key explaining data set under study falls local factors, particularly availability. Conclusions Our confirms validity considering both large‐ well research long‐term Rocky respond global different way than other types phytocoenose, showing high stability