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MountainBiodiversity

in a Global Perspective

G.Grabherr

Mountains as biodiversity hot spots

Mountains as learning ground on biodiversity

Mountain ecosystems – goods and services

Halting mountain biodiversity loss

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Mountains are biodiversity hot spots

Mountainsare „enginesof evolution“

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Väre et al. 2003

~ 25% of Europe‘svascular plant flora

is alpine, i.e. restricted

to 3% of its territory

c M. Knollseisen

c M. Knollseisen

Bearded VultureNarrow endemicsEchium wildpretii

Spectacular flagships

Narrow endemicsEchium wildpretii

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ESCPY

116

SELAT

131

UKCAI

14

RUNUR

72

NODOV

67

CHVAL

137

GECAK

115

FRAME

79

ITCAM

93

SKCTA

65

ROCRO46

RUSUR

75

ATHSW

174

ITADO

198

ITNAP

169FRCRI

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ESSNE

79

GRLEO

70991 taxa (spp. and subspp.)

248 taxaendemic s.l.

99 taxaendemic s.str.

European mountain systems:vascular plant species richness (GLORIA)

Treeline ecotone

Lower alpine

Upper alpine

Sub-nival

Biodiversity – a result of environmental heterogeneity

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The alpine environments

(=above treeline) are

„islands in the sky“

Mountain valleys are narrowcorridors

Red >2200m

The Alps

Blue >1000mHorizontal heterogeneity

Valley bottom„submontan/montane“

Valley slopes„montane/subalpine“

Above treeline„alpine“

Above permanent snow line„nival“

Vertical heterogeneity

Verwall/ Austria

The zonal structure of mountains

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Dwarf shrub heath

Fjellfield

Moistmeadow

SnowbedTall forbs

Rocks

Mire

Talus

Daisetzushan/ JapanPinus pumilio-prostrate forest

Topographic heterogeneity – divers mosaik of different habitats

5063** Grabherr, unpubl.*From Bowman & Seastedt (2001)

50Dwarf shrubs,lichens

Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea

Dwarf shrubheath

68Tall herbs,prostrate shrubs

Betulo-AdenostyleteaTall herb/alpine shrubland

54Mosses, herbsMontio-Cardaminetea

Springs, seeps

412Cyperaceae, herbs, mosses

Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae

Bogs, marshes,wet meadows

619grasses, mosses,tiny willows

Salicetea herbaceaeMoist meadowsand snow beds

2 + 117 + 0graminoids,herbs, lichens

Elyno-SeslerieteaCaricetea curvulae

Dry meadows and fjellfields

76“soft herbs”,grasses

Thlaspietearotundifolia

Screes, moraines

46tiny ferns,cushions

Asplenietea rupestriaRock habitats,rocky ridges

Gurgler** Hauptkamm

Niwot Ridge*Major component

Vegetation classHabitat

plant communities (associations)

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Mountains as learning ground on biodiversity

Dendrosenecio adnivalisRuwenzori Pinus longaeva / White Mountains

Learning about life strategiesin a stressful environment

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Expansion and dispersal of thedominating sedgespecies Carex curvula in alpine grasslands of theAlps

Carex curvula –dry meadow

Vegetative expansion: 1mm.y-1

Dispersal bySeeds

neglectable

25 years

Low process rates

Capra ibex/ Alps

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Molau 2003

Southern Ural; Shiyatov S.G. unpubl.

Learningabout

Climate Change

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Androsace alpina Carex curvula

+5 K

+2. 5

+1.25

Model study and monitoring at GLORIA-master station Mt Schrankogel/Austrian Alps

1994 2004

Modeling, process studies and observations should be

conducted in an integrated effort

1994 2004

Gottfried M./ Pauli H. (unpubl.)

Mountain ecosystems– goods and services

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Nighttimeluminosity

C. Plutzar, unpubl.

A longer term vision forbiodiversity and the EU

A biodiverse EU assuringthe flow of ecosystem serviceswhich underpin prosperity, competitivity and qualityof life

Flow of ecosystem servicesis the single most importantreason for conservingbiodiversity

Communication from the Commisson to the European Parlament and the Council15 November 2005 (draft version)

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Weidevieh, Hochschwab Schafe am Gletscher, Zermatt

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tourism/ recreation

water retention

preventing hazards

pasturing (cattle, sheep)

spiritual values

revegetating

sports

There are few places in Europe where biodiversity is so important forhuman wellbeing than in mountains

medicinal plants

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The Key Challenge to Science: Define Favourable States to Assure the

Flow of Ecosystem ServicesCriteria e.g. as discussed by European Community for habitats

of community interest: i.e.range, size, structure and function

Thank‘s for yourAttention

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Biodiversity – a result of environmental heterogeneity

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• Halting mountain biodiversity loss

Key challenges:

- Safegarding priority sites and species (strengthen coherence and connectivity of the network, expand species action plan)

- Conserving and restoring biodiversity in the wider countryside (matrix forbiodiversity

- Conserving and restoring biodiversity in the wider matine environment- Making developement more biodiversity-friendly- Supporting biodiversity adaptation to climate change- Reducing the impact of invasive alien species- Integrating biodiversity concerns into policymaking (potential impact of new

policies; recognition in impact assessment, value of natural capital and ecosystem services)

- Strengthening support to biodiversity in EU economic and developmentassistance

- Tackling the impact on trade on biodiversity- Strengthening international gouvernance for biodiversity

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Challenge 1Safegarding priority sites and species

• Complete, designate, finance and ensure effectivemangement of NATURA2000

• Strengthen coherence and connectivity of the network, expand species action plan

• Research needs:

Processes driven by thephysical environment:

- climate driven processes(threshold events in particular)

- cryospheric processes- erosion, primary succession

Grabherr, Gottfried, Pauli 1994

Dolomites/ Italy

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• Implement biodiversity related measures under Common Agriculturaland forestry Policy

• U.a.enhance biodiversity value of farm and forest lands, notably bypreventing intensification or abandonement of high nature value

• Research needs

Challenge II Conserving and restoring biodiversity in the wider countryside

Challenge 3 Conserving and restoring biodiversity in thewider marine environment

• Implement biodiversity related measures under theCommon Fishery Policy

• Reduce pollutant pressure; supporting recovery of harvested stocks, and reducing impacts on non targetspecies and marine habitats

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Challenge 4 Making development more biodiversity-friendly

• Conserving and management of biodiversity will be a loosing battle without more vigorous approaches to adressthe impacts of developmental activities

• Conflicts can be reduced

Challenge 5: Supporting biodiversity adaptation to climatechange

• Reduce existing pressure arising from habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, overexploitation, pollutionetc.

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Challenge 6: Reducing the impact of alien species

• Integrating biodiversity concerns into policy making

Key Challenge 7: Integrating biodiversity concerns intopolicymaking

• Strengthen understanding and communication of the valueof natural capital and ecosystem services

• Ensure biodiversity concerns full recognised in environmental impact assessment

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Challenge 8: Strengthening support to biodiversity in EU economic and development assistance

• Enhance earmarked funding to biodiversity programmes

Challenge 9:Tackling the impact of trade on biodiversity

• Adressing the EU‘s ecological footprint

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Key challenge 10: Strengthening international gouvernancefor biodiversity

• Continue to press implementation of CBD

A longer term vision for biodiversity and the EU

• A biodiverse EU assuring the flow of ecosystem serviceswhich underpin prosperity, competitivity and quality of life

• Flow of ecosystem services is the single most importantreason for conserving biodiversity

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• Research needs

High plant species and habitat richness: e.g. ~ 25% of the total European vascular plant flora is alpine

Assessment of spatial community pattern is a prerequisit for biodiversity management

Space demand of plantcommunities often <10m²

(e.g. mires, snow patches) Rhododendron camtschaticum

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