Experimental warming differentially affects vegetative and reproductive phenology of tundra plants

Courtney G. Collins; Sarah C. Elmendorf; Robert D. Hollister; Greg H.R. Henry; Karin Clark; Anne D. Bjorkman; Isla H. Myers-Smith; Janet S. Prevéy; Isabel W. Ashton; Jakob J. Assmann; Juha M. Alatalo; Michele Carbognani; Chelsea Chisholm; Elisabeth J. Cooper; Chiara Forrester; Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdóttir; Kari Klanderud; Christopher W. Kopp; Carolyn Livensperger; Marguerite Mauritz; Jeremy L. May; Ulf Molau; Steven F. Oberbauer; Emily Ogburn; Zoe A. Panchen; Alessandro Petraglia; Eric Post; Christian Rixen; Heidi Rodenhizer; Edward A.G. Schuur; Philipp Semenchuk; Jane G. Smith; Heidi Steltzer; Ørjan Totland; Marilyn D. Walker; Jeffrey M. Welker; Katharine N. Suding

doi:10.1038/s41467-021-23841-2

Experimental warming differentially affects vegetative and reproductive phenology of tundra plants

Courtney G. Collins^*, Sarah C. Elmendorf, Robert D. Hollister, Greg H.R. Henry, Karin Clark, Anne D. Bjorkman, Isla H. Myers-Smith, Janet S. Prevéy, Isabel W. Ashton, Jakob J. Assmann, Juha M. Alatalo, Michele Carbognani, Chelsea Chisholm, Elisabeth J. Cooper, Chiara Forrester, Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdóttir, Kari Klanderud, Christopher W. Kopp, Carolyn Livensperger, Marguerite MauritzJeremy L. May, Ulf Molau, Steven F. Oberbauer, Emily Ogburn, Zoe A. Panchen, Alessandro Petraglia, Eric Post, Christian Rixen, Heidi Rodenhizer, Edward A.G. Schuur, Philipp Semenchuk, Jane G. Smith, Heidi Steltzer, Ørjan Totland, Marilyn D. Walker, Jeffrey M. Welker, Katharine N. Suding

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract / Description of output

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.

Original language	English
Article number	3442
Journal	Nature Communications
Volume	12
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23841-2
Publication status	Published - 11 Jun 2021

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10.1038/s41467-021-23841-2

376. Myers Smith
© The Author(s) 2021
Final published version, 1.71 MBLicence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC-BY)

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-23841-2

Disentangle the drivers of Arctic greening across spatial scales
Myers-Smith, I.
NERC
1/04/19 → 31/03/20
Project: Research

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Collins, C. G., Elmendorf, S. C., Hollister, R. D., Henry, G. H. R., Clark, K., Bjorkman, A. D., Myers-Smith, I. H., Prevéy, J. S., Ashton, I. W., Assmann, J. J., Alatalo, J. M., Carbognani, M., Chisholm, C., Cooper, E. J., Forrester, C., Jónsdóttir, I. S., Klanderud, K., Kopp, C. W., Livensperger, C., ... Suding, K. N. (2021). Experimental warming differentially affects vegetative and reproductive phenology of tundra plants. Nature Communications, 12(1), Article 3442. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23841-2

@article{b20d9903e1224d31aa4d04ba5fa0b9ef,

title = "Experimental warming differentially affects vegetative and reproductive phenology of tundra plants",

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.",

author = "Collins, {Courtney G.} and Elmendorf, {Sarah C.} and Hollister, {Robert D.} and Henry, {Greg H.R.} and Karin Clark and Bjorkman, {Anne D.} and Myers-Smith, {Isla H.} and Prev{\'e}y, {Janet S.} and Ashton, {Isabel W.} and Assmann, {Jakob J.} and Alatalo, {Juha M.} and Michele Carbognani and Chelsea Chisholm and Cooper, {Elisabeth J.} and Chiara Forrester and J{\'o}nsd{\'o}ttir, {Ingibj{\"o}rg Svala} and Kari Klanderud and Kopp, {Christopher W.} and Carolyn Livensperger and Marguerite Mauritz and May, {Jeremy L.} and Ulf Molau and Oberbauer, {Steven F.} and Emily Ogburn and Panchen, {Zoe A.} and Alessandro Petraglia and Eric Post and Christian Rixen and Heidi Rodenhizer and Schuur, {Edward A.G.} and Philipp Semenchuk and Smith, {Jane G.} and Heidi Steltzer and {\O}rjan Totland and Walker, {Marilyn D.} and Welker, {Jeffrey M.} and Suding, {Katharine N.}",

note = "Funding Information: We thank Maja Sundqvist, Aimee Classen, Nathan Sanders, Warren Sconiers, Nyika Campbell, William Bownman, and many additional field assistants for their help in collecting phenology data. We thank Dr. Jessica Savage for helpful comments and feedback on an earlier version of the manuscript. We thank Caitlin White for assistance with the climate infilling code. Funding was provided by the following: Norwegian Research Council (“SnoEco” project, number 230970), the FRAM Centre Terrestrial Flagship (“SnoEcoFen” project), and the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education (SIU) High North Programme (“JANATEX” project, number HNP2013/10092) to Elisabeth J. Cooper. A.W. Garfield Weston Foundation Postdoctoral fellowship to Zoe A. Panchen. The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, Terrestrial Ecosystem Science (TES) Program Award #DESC0006982, #DE-SC0014085, #DE-SC0020227, and an NSF PLR Arctic System Science Research #1931333; NSF NNA: LTREB Award # 1754839 to Edward (Ted) Schuur and Marguerite Mauritz. The National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs Grants #PLR-1007672, 0902096, and 0902184 to Heidi Steltzer. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships (GRFP) to Carolyn Livensperger and Chiara Forester. A Semper Ardens grant from the Carlsberg Foundation to Chelsea Chisholm. Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program funding to Emily Ogburn. National Science Foundation grant #{\textquoteright}s 9907185, 632277, 856710, 1432982, 1504381, and 1836898 to Steven Oberbauer and Jeffrey Welker. National Science Foundation grant #{\textquoteright}s 9714103, 632263, 856516, 1432277, 1504224, 1836839 to Robert Hollister. A UK Natural Environment Research Council ShrubTundra Grant (NE/M016323/1) to Isla Myers-Smith. A Stiftelsen Oscar och Lili Lamms Minne research grant to Juha Atalo. Additional funding provided by the Government of the Northwest Territories, the University Centre in Svalbard. Publication of this article was funded by the University of Colorado Boulder Libraries Open Access Fund, Katharine Suding, and Bob Hollister. The appropriate permits to access research sites were obtained whenever necessary and the permits/ permissions necessary varied among the different sites. Specific permitting information providing access to field sites is as follows: Adventdalen: Store Norske Spitsbergen Kullkompani A/S 06/792/051.5/PCF and Longyearbyen Local Styre (2009) 401-2 sak 34/ 09, Alexandra Fjord: Qikiqtani Inuit Association and Nunavut Dept of Environment (1989), Gavia Pass: Stelvio National Park (2008), Latnjajaure: Abisko Scientific Research Station permission for long-term experiment “Linking plant and soil ecology” (1994), Kangerlussaq:Government of Greenland (2002), Niwot Ridge: University of Colorado Mountain Research Station and Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests Special Use Permit (1994), White Mountains: Inyo National Forest Special Use Permit (2014), Endalen: Longyearbyen Lokal Styre (2014) 456-2-X70, Toolik Lake: Bureau of Land Management Alaska Northern Field Office (1994), Atqasuk & Utqiagvik: Ukpeagvik I{\~n}upiat Corporation (1994), Healy: Site permissions under LAS-24220 issued to the University of Alaska by the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources (2004), Jakobshorn & Val Bercla: Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL (1992), Daring Lake: Wek{\textquoteright}eezhii Land and Water Board (2009), Imnavait Creek: Bureau of Land Management Central Yukon Field Office (2009)#FF09S602, Faroe Islands: Museum of Natural History of the Faroe Islands (2001), Finse: Hallingskarvet National Park Board (2006). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021, The Author(s).",

year = "2021",

month = jun,

day = "11",

doi = "10.1038/s41467-021-23841-2",

language = "English",

volume = "12",

journal = "Nature Communications",

issn = "2041-1723",

publisher = "Nature Publishing Group",

number = "1",

}

Collins, CG, Elmendorf, SC, Hollister, RD, Henry, GHR, Clark, K, Bjorkman, AD, Myers-Smith, IH, Prevéy, JS, Ashton, IW, Assmann, JJ, Alatalo, JM, Carbognani, M, Chisholm, C, Cooper, EJ, Forrester, C, Jónsdóttir, IS, Klanderud, K, Kopp, CW, Livensperger, C, Mauritz, M, May, JL, Molau, U, Oberbauer, SF, Ogburn, E, Panchen, ZA, Petraglia, A, Post, E, Rixen, C, Rodenhizer, H, Schuur, EAG, Semenchuk, P, Smith, JG, Steltzer, H, Totland, Ø, Walker, MD, Welker, JM & Suding, KN 2021, 'Experimental warming differentially affects vegetative and reproductive phenology of tundra plants', Nature Communications, vol. 12, no. 1, 3442. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23841-2

TY - JOUR

T1 - Experimental warming differentially affects vegetative and reproductive phenology of tundra plants

AU - Collins, Courtney G.

AU - Elmendorf, Sarah C.

AU - Hollister, Robert D.

AU - Henry, Greg H.R.

AU - Clark, Karin

AU - Bjorkman, Anne D.

AU - Myers-Smith, Isla H.

AU - Prevéy, Janet S.

AU - Ashton, Isabel W.

AU - Assmann, Jakob J.

AU - Alatalo, Juha M.

AU - Carbognani, Michele

AU - Chisholm, Chelsea

AU - Cooper, Elisabeth J.

AU - Forrester, Chiara

AU - Jónsdóttir, Ingibjörg Svala

AU - Klanderud, Kari

AU - Kopp, Christopher W.

AU - Livensperger, Carolyn

AU - Mauritz, Marguerite

AU - May, Jeremy L.

AU - Molau, Ulf

AU - Oberbauer, Steven F.

AU - Ogburn, Emily

AU - Panchen, Zoe A.

AU - Petraglia, Alessandro

AU - Post, Eric

AU - Rixen, Christian

AU - Rodenhizer, Heidi

AU - Schuur, Edward A.G.

AU - Semenchuk, Philipp

AU - Smith, Jane G.

AU - Steltzer, Heidi

AU - Totland, Ørjan

AU - Walker, Marilyn D.

AU - Welker, Jeffrey M.

AU - Suding, Katharine N.

N1 - Funding Information: We thank Maja Sundqvist, Aimee Classen, Nathan Sanders, Warren Sconiers, Nyika Campbell, William Bownman, and many additional field assistants for their help in collecting phenology data. We thank Dr. Jessica Savage for helpful comments and feedback on an earlier version of the manuscript. We thank Caitlin White for assistance with the climate infilling code. Funding was provided by the following: Norwegian Research Council (“SnoEco” project, number 230970), the FRAM Centre Terrestrial Flagship (“SnoEcoFen” project), and the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education (SIU) High North Programme (“JANATEX” project, number HNP2013/10092) to Elisabeth J. Cooper. A.W. Garfield Weston Foundation Postdoctoral fellowship to Zoe A. Panchen. The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, Terrestrial Ecosystem Science (TES) Program Award #DESC0006982, #DE-SC0014085, #DE-SC0020227, and an NSF PLR Arctic System Science Research #1931333; NSF NNA: LTREB Award # 1754839 to Edward (Ted) Schuur and Marguerite Mauritz. The National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs Grants #PLR-1007672, 0902096, and 0902184 to Heidi Steltzer. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships (GRFP) to Carolyn Livensperger and Chiara Forester. A Semper Ardens grant from the Carlsberg Foundation to Chelsea Chisholm. Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program funding to Emily Ogburn. National Science Foundation grant #’s 9907185, 632277, 856710, 1432982, 1504381, and 1836898 to Steven Oberbauer and Jeffrey Welker. National Science Foundation grant #’s 9714103, 632263, 856516, 1432277, 1504224, 1836839 to Robert Hollister. A UK Natural Environment Research Council ShrubTundra Grant (NE/M016323/1) to Isla Myers-Smith. A Stiftelsen Oscar och Lili Lamms Minne research grant to Juha Atalo. Additional funding provided by the Government of the Northwest Territories, the University Centre in Svalbard. Publication of this article was funded by the University of Colorado Boulder Libraries Open Access Fund, Katharine Suding, and Bob Hollister. The appropriate permits to access research sites were obtained whenever necessary and the permits/ permissions necessary varied among the different sites. Specific permitting information providing access to field sites is as follows: Adventdalen: Store Norske Spitsbergen Kullkompani A/S 06/792/051.5/PCF and Longyearbyen Local Styre (2009) 401-2 sak 34/ 09, Alexandra Fjord: Qikiqtani Inuit Association and Nunavut Dept of Environment (1989), Gavia Pass: Stelvio National Park (2008), Latnjajaure: Abisko Scientific Research Station permission for long-term experiment “Linking plant and soil ecology” (1994), Kangerlussaq:Government of Greenland (2002), Niwot Ridge: University of Colorado Mountain Research Station and Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests Special Use Permit (1994), White Mountains: Inyo National Forest Special Use Permit (2014), Endalen: Longyearbyen Lokal Styre (2014) 456-2-X70, Toolik Lake: Bureau of Land Management Alaska Northern Field Office (1994), Atqasuk & Utqiagvik: Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corporation (1994), Healy: Site permissions under LAS-24220 issued to the University of Alaska by the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources (2004), Jakobshorn & Val Bercla: Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL (1992), Daring Lake: Wek’eezhii Land and Water Board (2009), Imnavait Creek: Bureau of Land Management Central Yukon Field Office (2009)#FF09S602, Faroe Islands: Museum of Natural History of the Faroe Islands (2001), Finse: Hallingskarvet National Park Board (2006). Publisher Copyright: © 2021, The Author(s).

PY - 2021/6/11

Y1 - 2021/6/11

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

U2 - 10.1038/s41467-021-23841-2

DO - 10.1038/s41467-021-23841-2

M3 - Article

C2 - 34117253

AN - SCOPUS:85107816540

SN - 2041-1723

VL - 12

JO - Nature Communications

JF - Nature Communications

IS - 1

M1 - 3442

ER -

Experimental warming differentially affects vegetative and reproductive phenology of tundra plants

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Disentangle the drivers of Arctic greening across spatial scales

Cite this