engleski

Učka Mt. as a model for monitoring of climate change impact on flora – preliminary research

We have analysed data gathered during the flora mapping of northern part of Učka Nature Park with respect to their areal and life forms, using MTB 1/64 quadrants as a basic spatial units. We wanted to test whether on Učka Mt. beside horizontal (elevational) gradient, horizontal (latitudinal) gradient exist as well, especially because of north-south orientation of Učka Mt. For shares of particular life forms and areals we have calculated Pearsons correlation coefficients with elevation, latitude and longitude. With the exception of therophytes, for all life forms correlations of same directions (positive or negative) have been established with elevation and latitude. Among them, those for phanerophytes which share decrease with increase of elevation (r=-0.8 ; p<0.05) and latitude (r=-0.63 ; p<0.05) should be emphasized, as well as those for geophytes under same circumstances (r=0.75 ; p<0.05, r=0.69, p<0.05). At areal level, less regularity in direction of correlation with elevation and latitude was observed. However, high statistically significant correlation was established for species of continental and subatlantic distribution, with former being positively (r=0.74 ; p<0.05, r=0.74 ; p<0.05) and latter negatively (r=-0.88 ; p<0.05, r=-0.75 ; p<0.05) correlated with the increase of elevation and latitude. Obtained results have confirmed existence of the horizontal gradient on Učka Mt., that rise necessity of expanding research to the southern parts of mountain, as well as selection of indicator species whose monitoring could reveal existence of climate change impact on flora.

elevation; latitude; Raunkiaer; floristic elements

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