Evaluating the responses of vascular plant phenology to climate change in the Canadian Arctic from an evolutionary perspective

The Arctic climate is changing three times faster than any other eco-region in the world. As the climate warms, flowering times of many species are shifting which can affect plant productivity and reproductive success. Flowering time responses to climate change among species is diverse. The diversity of responses has implications for tundra plant community structure including altered community composition and food web interactions. This project aims to identify categories of Arctic plant species that are most at risk from climate change and those that will benefit the most from climate change. Natural history records of flowering times and modeled climate data will be used to determine how different categories of Arctic plant species are responding to climate change. This work can inform conservation management of protected areas in Arctic Canada by identifying plant species that may need protection and those that should be monitored more closely.

Faculty Supervisor:

Heather Kharouba;Greg Henry

Student:

Partner:

Canadian Museum of Nature

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Life Sciences (not health); Sustainability & the Environment; Education

University:

University of Ottawa

Program: