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Temperature increase and frost decrease driving upslope elevational range shifts in Alpine grouse and hares.

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This summary is machine-generated.

Alpine grouse and hare species are shifting their ranges upward in response to climate change, with generalists adapting faster than specialists. This upward shift threatens alpine biodiversity by reducing available habitat for snow-adapted species.

Keywords:
Alpine mountain hareEuropean hareblack grouseclimate warminginterspecific competitionrock ptarmigan

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Climate Change Biology
  • Conservation Biology

Background:

  • Global climate change is driving biodiversity loss through species range shifts, particularly affecting alpine ecosystems.
  • Habitat specialists are predicted to be more vulnerable to climate change than generalists.
  • Alpine regions exhibit climatic gradients that support diverse species, but these are threatened by warming trends.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of climate change on the elevational distribution of alpine grouse and hare species.
  • To compare the adaptive capacity of habitat generalists versus specialists in response to climate shifts.
  • To identify key climate variables influencing species' range adjustments in the Alps.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 30 years of hunting bag, climate, and biogeographical data for two grouse species (Tetrao tetrix, Lagopus muta) and two hare species (Lepus timidus varronis, L. europaeus) in Grisons, Switzerland.
  • Statistical analysis of 84,630 harvested specimens to determine significant trends in elevational shifts and climate variables.
  • Correlation analysis to link elevational range shifts with specific climate variables, such as frost days.

Main Results:

  • Significant elevational shifts were observed for grouse species, while hare species showed changes in minimum/maximum elevations.
  • Habitat generalists exhibited greater increases in hunting elevation compared to habitat specialists.
  • Elevational shifts were primarily correlated with the number of frost days, and were more pronounced in the southern biogeographical region.

Conclusions:

  • All studied alpine taxa demonstrate responses to climate change, with habitat generalists adapting more rapidly than specialists.
  • The observed upward range shifts will reduce available habitat for snow-adapted alpine species, posing a significant threat to biodiversity.
  • Alpine regions with rich habitats have a critical role in conserving vulnerable species facing climate change impacts.