Postglacial change of the floristic diversity gradient in Europe

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13233-y
• Publication Date: 2019-11-28T11:03:08Z
• Authors: Thomas Giesecke; Steffen Wolters; Jacqueline F. N. ...; Pim W. O. van der...; Michelle Leydet; Simon Brewer
• Keywords: Deforestation; Abrupt climate change

Abstract Climate warming is expected to cause a poleward spread of species, resulting in increased richness at mid high latitudes and weakening the latitudinal diversity gradient. We used pollen data test if such change gradient occurred during last major shift plant species Europe following end glacial period. In contrast expectations, slope strengthened Holocene. The increase temperatures around 10 ka ago reduced latitude sites due gradual closure forests. Deforestation introduction agriculture 5 ky had greater impact on central than earlier climate warming. These results do not support current view that global alone will lead loss biodiversity, demonstrate non-climatic human impacts magnitude change.