Ambient and experimental warming effects on an alpine bryophyte community

Alpine and Arctic bryophytes have been found to respond negatively climate change, but as they are often analysed one functional group, there is limited knowledge on species-specific responses. In this study, we examine how nearly two decades of experimental warming by open-top chambers ambient affected the bryophyte community structure in an alpine Dryas octopetala L. heath Finse, southwest Norway. contrast what expected, that abundance, species richness, evenness increased over time control plots, indicating a positive response warming. However, increase abundance cover was suppressed experimentally warmed plots compared with plots. Bryophyte composition changed similar direction both Acrocarpous mosses were not stronger than pleurocarpous mosses, individual taxa showed contrasting Our study highlights importance studying responses environmental well combining long-term observations