Biogeography of photoautotrophs in the high polar biome.
- Pointing SB Institute for Applied Ecology New Zealand, School of Applied Sciences, Auckland University of Technology , Auckland, New Zealand.
- Burkhard Büdel Department of Biology, University of Kaiserslautern , Kaiserslautern, Germany.
- Convey P British Antarctic Survey, NERC , Cambridge, UK ; National Antarctic Research Centre, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Gillman LN Institute for Applied Ecology New Zealand, School of Applied Sciences, Auckland University of Technology , Auckland, New Zealand.
- Körner C Institute of Botany, University of Basel , Basel, Switzerland.
- Leuzinger S Institute for Applied Ecology New Zealand, School of Applied Sciences, Auckland University of Technology , Auckland, New Zealand.
- Vincent WF Centre d'\Études Nordiques and Département de Biologie, Université Laval , Québec, QC, Canada.
- 2015-10-07
Published in:
- Frontiers in plant science. - 2015
English
The global latitudinal gradient in biodiversity weakens in the high polar biome and so an alternative explanation for distribution of Arctic and Antarctic photoautotrophs is required. Here we identify how temporal, microclimate and evolutionary drivers of biogeography are important, rather than the macroclimate features that drive plant diversity patterns elsewhere. High polar ecosystems are biologically unique, with a more central role for bryophytes, lichens and microbial photoautotrophs over that of vascular plants. Constraints on vascular plants arise mainly due to stature and ontogenetic barriers. Conversely non-vascular plant and microbial photoautotroph distribution is correlated with favorable microclimates and the capacity for poikilohydric dormancy. Contemporary distribution also depends on evolutionary history, with adaptive and dispersal traits as well as legacy influencing biogeography. We highlight the relevance of these findings to predicting future impacts on diversity of polar photoautotrophs and to the current status of plants in Arctic and Antarctic conservation policy frameworks.
- Language
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- English
- Open access status
- gold
- Identifiers
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- DOI 10.3389/fpls.2015.00692
- PMID 26442009
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/98262
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