Experimental warming differentially affects vegetative and reproductive phenology of tundra plants

Collins, C.G., et. al. 2021 .Experimental warming differentially affects vegetative and reproductive phenology of tundra plants. Nature Communications 12: 3442. Available at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23841-2

Researchers take measurements in a control plot at Niwot Ridge’s ITEX experiment, where hexagonal open top chambers are used to simulate future climate warming. Photo credit: J. Smith

Abstract

Rapid climate warming is altering Arctic and alpine tundra ecosystem structure and function, including shifts in plant phenology. While the advancement of green up and flowering are well-documented, it remains unclear whether all phenophases, particularly those later in the season, will shift in unison or respond divergently to warming. Here, we present the largest synthesis to our knowledge of experimental warming effects on tundra plant phenology from the International Tundra Experiment. We examine the effect of warming on a suite of season-wide plant phenophases. Results challenge the expectation that all phenophases will advance in unison to warming. Instead, we find that experimental warming caused: (1) larger phenological shifts in reproductive versus vegetative phenophases and (2) advanced reproductive phenophases and green up but delayed leaf senescence which translated to a lengthening of the growing season by approximately 3%. Patterns were consistent across sites, plant species and over time. The advancement of reproductive seasons and lengthening of growing seasons may have significant consequences for trophic interactions and ecosystem function across the tundra.