- How much has the atmospheric CO2-concentration increased
over the past 100 years?
+30 %
- What is the mechanism through which atmospheric CO2-enrichment
can directly (i.e. not via climatic effects) influence alpine plants?
Stimulation of photosynthesis
- Experimental CO2 enrichment has shown no biomass response.
Which other responses can be observed? (at least one example)
Change in tissue composition (more carbohydrates),
biodiversity effects (gaining and losing species), change in herbivory
- Which types of plants are likely to profit, which will suffer from
enhanced wet nitrogen deposition in alpine regions?
Grasses and sedges (graminoids) gain most, cushion
plants and small rosettes lose
- Why do volatile organic pollutants accumulate to toxic levels in cold
climates?
Because of condensation
- Give two examples of consequences of climatic warming for alpine vegetation.
Migration into formerly not vegetated zones, earlier
snowmelt and problems with seasonal phenology, change of biodiversity
(community structure)
- What may constrain alpine plants' responses to warmer temperatures
and earlier snowmelt?
Photoperiodism
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