Climate Warming and the Recent Treeline Shift in the European Alps: The Role of Geomorphological Factors in High-Altitude Sites |
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Authors: | Giovanni Leonelli Manuela Pelfini Umberto Morra di Cella Valentina Garavaglia |
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Institution: | 1.Department of Earth Sciences,University of Milan,Milan,Italy;2.ARPA Valle d’Aosta,Saint Christophe,Italy |
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Abstract: | Global warming and the stronger regional temperature trends recently recorded over the European Alps have triggered several
biological and physical dynamics in high-altitude environments. We defined the present treeline altitude in three valleys
of a region in the western Italian Alps and reconstructed the past treeline position for the last three centuries in a nearly
undisturbed site by means of a dendrochronological approach. We found that the treeline altitude in this region is mainly
controlled by human impacts and geomorphological factors. The reconstruction of the altitudinal dynamics at the study site
reveals that the treeline shifted upwards of 115 m over the period 1901–2000, reaching the altitude of 2505 m in 2000 and
2515 m in 2008. The recent treeline shift and the acceleration of tree colonization rates in the alpine belt can be mainly
ascribed to the climatic input. However, we point out the increasing role of geomorphological factors in controlling the future
treeline position and colonization patterns in high mountains. |
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Keywords: | Climate change Treeline Geomorphology Tree rings Larix decidua European Alps |
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