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Increased sensitivity to climate change in disturbed ecosystems

Author

Listed:
  • György Kröel-Dulay

    (Institute of Ecology and Botany, MTA Centre for Ecological Research)

  • Johannes Ransijn

    (University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23)

  • Inger Kappel Schmidt

    (University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23)

  • Claus Beier

    (Norwegian Institute for Water Research, NIVA, Gaustadalléen 21)

  • Paolo De Angelis

    (Agro-food and Forest systems, University of Tuscia, Via San Camillo de Lellis snc)

  • Giovanbattista de Dato

    (Agro-food and Forest systems, University of Tuscia, Via San Camillo de Lellis snc)

  • Jeffrey S. Dukes

    (Purdue University
    Purdue University)

  • Bridget Emmett

    (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road)

  • Marc Estiarte

    (CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, CREAF-CSIC-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallés
    CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès)

  • János Garadnai

    (Institute of Ecology and Botany, MTA Centre for Ecological Research)

  • Jane Kongstad

    (University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23)

  • Edit Kovács-Láng

    (Institute of Ecology and Botany, MTA Centre for Ecological Research)

  • Klaus Steenberg Larsen

    (University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23)

  • Dario Liberati

    (Agro-food and Forest systems, University of Tuscia, Via San Camillo de Lellis snc)

  • Romà Ogaya

    (CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, CREAF-CSIC-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallés
    CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès)

  • Torben Riis-Nielsen

    (University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23)

  • Andrew R. Smith

    (School of Environment, Natural Resources, and Geography, Bangor University, Deiniol Road)

  • Alwyn Sowerby

    (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road)

  • Albert Tietema

    (Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam)

  • Josep Penuelas

    (CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, CREAF-CSIC-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallés
    CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès)

Abstract

Human domination of the biosphere includes changes to disturbance regimes, which push many ecosystems towards early-successional states. Ecological theory predicts that early-successional ecosystems are more sensitive to perturbations than mature systems, but little evidence supports this relationship for the perturbation of climate change. Here we show that vegetation (abundance, species richness and species composition) across seven European shrublands is quite resistant to moderate experimental warming and drought, and responsiveness is associated with the dynamic state of the ecosystem, with recently disturbed sites responding to treatments. Furthermore, most of these responses are not rapid (2–5 years) but emerge over a longer term (7–14 years). These results suggest that successional state influences the sensitivity of ecosystems to climate change, and that ecosystems recovering from disturbances may be sensitive to even modest climatic changes. A research bias towards undisturbed ecosystems might thus lead to an underestimation of the impacts of climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • György Kröel-Dulay & Johannes Ransijn & Inger Kappel Schmidt & Claus Beier & Paolo De Angelis & Giovanbattista de Dato & Jeffrey S. Dukes & Bridget Emmett & Marc Estiarte & János Garadnai & Jane Kongs, 2015. "Increased sensitivity to climate change in disturbed ecosystems," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-7, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms7682
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7682
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    Cited by:

    1. Gábor Bakó & Zsolt Molnár & Lilla Bakk & Ferenc Horváth & Luca Fehér & Örs Ábrám & Edina Morvai & Csaba Biro & Gergely Pápay & Attila Fűrész & Károly Penksza & Diána Pácsonyi & Krisztina Demény & Erik, 2021. "Toward a High Spatial Resolution Aerial Monitoring Network for Nature Conservation—How Can Remote Sensing Help Protect Natural Areas?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-27, August.
    2. Sándor Bartha & Gábor Szabó & Sándor Csete & Dragica Purger & Judit Házi & András István Csathó & Giandiego Campetella & Roberto Canullo & Stefano Chelli & James Lee Tsakalos & Gábor Ónodi & György Kr, 2022. "High-Resolution Transect Sampling and Multiple Scale Diversity Analyses for Evaluating Grassland Resilience to Climatic Extremes," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-19, March.

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