Different dispersal rates and declining climate suitability shape future vegetation compositions across the Arctic: implications for the boreal forest - tundra boundary
Analysis reveals species distribution models predict changes at the boreal forest-tundra boundary, suggesting dispersal limitations impact future plant distributions.
Key Points
Plant species are expected to only occupy about 12.3% of emerging climate niches by 2100 due to dispersal limitations.
Half of the studied plant species may not colonize new habitats, largely influenced by their specific dispersal rates.
Future shifts in vegetation composition predict boreal tree species expanding into tundra areas as climate suitability changes.
The study employs climate-driven species distribution models to assess how climate scenarios affect plant distributions across Arctic regions.