Plant Population Responses Plant Population Responses to Climate Change in the Alps to Climate Change in the Alps

– – from the genetic diversity and from the genetic diversity and

phenotypic plasticity perspectivesphenotypic plasticity perspectives

Esther Frei, Thomas Hahn, Philippe MatterEsther Frei, Thomas Hahn, Philippe Matter

Supervisors: A. Pluess, C. Kettle, J. GhazoulSupervisors: A. Pluess, C. Kettle, J. Ghazoul

PhD projects started January 2008PhD projects started January 2008

- BioChange- BioChange

2008

alpine

subalpine

montane

colline

+ 6

00 m

+ 3°C2100

nival

alpine

subalpine

montane

colline

Vegetation upward shiftVegetation upward shiftBackground

Populations over the altitudinal distribution range:lower = centralupper = peripheral

different environmental conditions differences in local adaptation different responses to climate

change

Central & peripheral populationsCentral & peripheral populations

Background

Experimental requirementsExperimental requirements Common species

Insect and wind pollinated

From same habitat (Mesobromion)

Genetic markers available (SSRsdiploid)

Predominantly outcrossing

Flowering within 2 years

The Quest for the three study species

And the Winners are…And the Winners are…

Trifolium montanumRanunculus bulbosus

Briza media

Scabiosa columbaria

The Quest for the three study species

Initially chosen, but

Low altitudes & 2 ssp. with hybrid zone

Trial species!

The need for population pairsThe need for population pairs

Centre / periphery comparing two ranges of altitudes High altitude = upper distribution limit

1800m Low altitude = 600m below 1200m

Searching for sampling populations

ConstraintsConstraints Minimizing the differences not due to altitude

Searching for sampling populations

Formation of population pairsFormation of population pairs

Searching for suitable populations

Enough sampling populations Enough sampling populations identified identified (well, almost enough)(well, almost enough)

Searching for sampling populations