Effect of Climate Change on Alpine Flowers

Abstract

Global warming results in climate change that increases the intensity of rainfall, drought, dry spell, heat waves. This condition have profound impact on alpine plant ecology and induce migration or range shifts of spe¬cies in search for their optimal growth conditions. These shifts subsequently lead to change in local species composition, often resulting in a relative increase of warm demanding species and a decreasing number of cold demanding species. The result of this change may cause habitat loss and disastrous extinction in those alpine environments. An alpine flower has been serving as source of genetic material for ornamental flower industry. Improvement of commercial cultivars through interspecific hybridization with wild relatives has also been the major way forward for transfer of important traits such as disease resistance. However, as a result of global warming, heat stress has become the major challenge for alpine ecosystem that is estimated to be 3% of terrestrial habitats. Here, I review literature regarding impacts of climate change on alpine flowers by using specific commercially important flowers as an example: <i>Dianthus</i>, <i>Primula</i> and <i>Rhododendron</i>. Then, I discuss ways to enhance <i>Rhododendron</i> breeding efficiency for heat stress using invitro growth conditions. Finally, I summarize with indicating future areas of research that should be undertaken.