A few key species drive community thermophilization under experimental warming

What is it about?

As the climate warms, plant communities are expected to shift toward species that thrive in hotter conditions. Using data from six experimental warming sites across the United States, we show that warming directly increases the abundance of warm-associated plant species. We also identify the small number of species most responsible for these changes at each site. Knowing which species drive community responses to warming can help land managers and conservation practitioners better plan for ecosystem resilience in a rapidly warming climate.

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Photo by Sumit Saharkar on Unsplash

Photo by Sumit Saharkar on Unsplash