Climate change, impacts and vulnerability in Europe ... - MemoFin.fr

Climate impacts on environmental systemsBox 3.2Alien plant species and climate change — new ranges?Horticulture and ornamental plant trade are by far the most important pathways of plant introductions to Europe(Hanspach et al., 2008; Hulme et al., 2008; Hulme, 2011). However, climate change mitigation and adaptationmeasures may also contribute to the introduction of new species, for example through increasing use ofdry‐adapted species in forestry, and cultivation of energy plants (IUCN, 2009). Furthermore, climate change itselfmay increase the establishment and reproduction rates and the niche breadth of alien plant species (Walther et al.,2009; Kleinbauer et al., 2010).An increasing number of warm-adapted alien plant species has recently become established in central Europe,such as palms, cacti and evergreen tree species (Berger et al., 2007; Walther et al., 2007; Essl and Kobler, 2009).One example is the Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), which was introduced more than a century ago,but established in the wild only recently after average winter temperature increased and severity of cold spellsdecreased (Berger et al., 2007). Alien plant species have also increased their range by moving uphill (Pauchardet al., 2009).Most alien plant species originate from warmer regions and will therefore benefit from projected climate change inEurope (Walther et al., 2009; Schweiger et al., 2010; Hulme, 2012). For example, Map 3.14 shows the potentialfuture distribution of 30 major invasive alien plant species for Austria and Germany as projected under differentclimate change scenarios (Kleinbauer et al., 2010).Map 3.14Actual and potential future alien plant invasion hotspots (2081–2090) undertwo emissions scenariosCurrent 10°B2 10°A210°50°50°50°50°50°50°0 500 km 0 500 km 0 500 km10°10°10°Actual and potential future alien plant invasion hotspots (2081–2090) under two emission scenariosNumber of species (out of 30)0 1–5 6–10 11–15 16–20 21–25 > 26 Outside coverageNote:Potential future alien plant invasion hotspots in Austria and Germany under climate change, based on 30 invasive alienvascular plant species and the SRES A2 and B2 emissions scenarios. Colours mark number of invasive alien speciessuitable in an area.Source: Kleinbauer et al., 2010.Climate change, impacts and vulnerability in Europe 2012137