Plant diversity dynamics over space and time in a warming Arctic

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Garcia Criado, Mariana, Myers-Smith, Isla H, Bjorkman, Anne D, Elmendorf, Sarah C, Normand, Signe, Aastrup, Peter, Aerts, Rien, Alatalo, Juha M, Baeten, Lander, Bjork, Robert G et al (show 44 more authors) , Bjorkman, Mats P, Boulanger-Lapointe, Noemie, Butler, Ethan E, Cooper, Elisabeth J, Cornelissen, J Hans C, Daskalova, Gergana N, Fadrique, Belen, Forbes, Bruce C, Henry, Greg HR, Hollister, Robert D, Hoye, Toke Thomas, Jacobsen, Ida Bomholt Dyrholm, Jagerbrand, Annika K, Jonsdottir, Ingibjoerg S, Kaarlejarvi, Elina, Khitun, Olga, Klanderud, Kari, Kolari, Tiina HM, Lang, Simone I, Lecomte, Nicolas, Lenoir, Jonathan, Macek, Petr, Messier, Julie, Michelsen, Anders, Molau, Ulf, Muscarella, Robert, Nielsen, Marie-Louise, Petit Bon, Matteo, Post, Eric, Raundrup, Katrine, Rinnan, Riikka, Rixen, Christian, Ryde, Ingvild, Serra-Diaz, Josep M, Schaepman-Strub, Gabriela, Schmidt, Niels M, Schrodt, Franziska, Sjogersten, Sofie, Steinbauer, Manuel J, Stewart, Laerke, Strandberg, Beate, Tolvanen, Anne, Tweedie, Craig E and Vellend, Mark (2025) Plant diversity dynamics over space and time in a warming Arctic NATURE, 642 (8068). pp. 653-661. ISSN 0028-0836, 1476-4687

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Abstract

The Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average¹ and plant communities are responding through shifts in species abundance, composition and distribution^{2, 3–4}. However, the direction and magnitude of local changes in plant diversity in the Arctic have not been quantified. Using a compilation of 42,234 records of 490 vascular plant species from 2,174 plots across the Arctic, here we quantified temporal changes in species richness and composition through repeat surveys between 1981 and 2022. We also identified the geographical, climatic and biotic drivers behind these changes. We found greater species richness at lower latitudes and warmer sites, but no indication that, on average, species richness had changed directionally over time. However, species turnover was widespread, with 59% of plots gaining and/or losing species. Proportions of species gains and losses were greater where temperatures had increased the most. Shrub expansion, particularly of erect shrubs, was associated with greater species losses and decreasing species richness. Despite changes in plant composition, Arctic plant communities did not become more similar to each other, suggesting no biotic homogenization so far. Overall, Arctic plant communities changed in richness and composition in different directions, with temperature and plant–plant interactions emerging as the main drivers of change. Our findings demonstrate how climate and biotic drivers can act in concert to alter plant composition, which could precede future biodiversity changes that are likely to affect ecosystem function, wildlife habitats and the livelihoods of Arctic peoples^5,6.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Plants, Ecosystem, Biodiversity, Temperature, Time Factors, Arctic Regions, Global Warming, Spatio-Temporal Analysis
Divisions:	Faculty of Science & Engineering Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	08 May 2025 10:26
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 13:17
DOI:	10.1038/s41586-025-08946-8
Open Access URL:	https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08946-8
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3192689
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