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| Alarm - Results - Ilex 2010 |
| Ilex overview |
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An Ecological "Footprint" of Climate Change
The northern range of holly (Ilex aquifolium) is limited by low winter temperatures. The historical distribution has been well
documented in the past and its northern distribution boundary is regarded as a classical example of a climatically limited range
margin. A field survey in southern Scandinavia and north-eastern Germany revealed new occurrences of holly, the only evergreen
broad-leaved lower tree species native to central and western Europe, beyond its former northern range margin. This range expansion
is in concert with the gradual increase in winter temperature measured at local climate stations. The synchrony of the measured
increase in winter temperatures at several climate stations and the observed northward shift of the distribution of holly suggest
that climate change is the responsible driver, and makes this species a good (bio-) indicator for global warming.
| Ilex overview |
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