Abstract

Past climate changes and the role of refugia in the temperate Northern Hemisphere

Highlights

  • Glacial refugia in the temperate Northern Hemisphere proved to be havens for present ecosystems' diversity

  • The persistence or survival of plant species in restricted areas during past unfavorable climate time spans is a fundamental ecological pattern that has contributed to shaping the modern range of species, ecosystem composition, and species' genetic diversity

  • During a change in global climate, the areas where local microclimates are found to play the role of refugia for the persistence of plant species over several centuries or millennia (Tzedakis et al 2002)

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Summary

Introduction

Glacial refugia in the temperate Northern Hemisphere proved to be havens for present ecosystems' diversity. The persistence or survival of plant species in restricted areas during past unfavorable climate time spans is a fundamental ecological pattern that has contributed to shaping the modern range of species, ecosystem composition, and species' genetic diversity. Restricted areas in the Northern Hemisphere such as in the Mediterranean basin, known today as "classical southern refugia" (Bennett and Provan 2008), played a major role in the survival of European plant species during the last glacial period.

Results
Conclusion

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