Altitudinal Changes
Climate changes more rapidly with elevation (1° C / 160 m) than it does with latitude (1° C / 150 km
For 9 species in Swiss Alps with detailed records:
- Observed rate of upward shift 1–4 m per decade.
- Predicted rate of upward shift 8–10 m per decade based on the change in mean temperature over the last 90 years
May indicate that these plants are unable to respond successfully to more rapid climate change.
Grabherr, G., M. Gottfried & H. Pauli. 1994. Climate effects on mountain plants. Nature 369:448