Long-term vegetation change in the Western Tien-Shan Mountain pastures, Central Asia, driven by a combination of changing precipitation patterns and grazing pressure

In mountain pastures worldwide, studies investigating vegetation changes due to long-term grazing and environmental are sparse, especially regarding the effects of in snowmelt patterns. The outstanding availability historical data from Kyrgyz creates unique opportunities study past forecast future changes, making them ideal model ecosystems. Using a resurvey approach, we explored response management Western Tien-Shan investigate whether plant communities six types (ecozones) had changed over 42 years, were related or ecological causes species' mean elevational ranges changed. We assembled historic (1973–1987) ecozones that resurveyed annually 2008 2015 connected with management-related traits indicator values. Overall, homogenization within among was observed. Mountain steppe, meadow-steppe, subalpine meadows showed strongest convergence towards dominance mesic shrubs, increasing precipitation changing soil moisture soil-salt regimes. high steppe alpine ecozone, cushion dwarf shrubs increased, driven by increased following faster snowmelt. Changes semidesert highly variable spring moisture. Compositional accelerated time. Mostly palatable species declined abundance. More competitive unpalatable replaced abundant (1973) species. Mean elevation shifted significantly for 35 (out 136), 60% shifting >100 m, more often upward (low elevations) than downward (mid-elevations). These ecosystems seem sensitive temperature- grazing-induced climatic change important driver management. Further adaptive should consider promote alternative land-use options maintain ecosystem functioning. observed acceleration might go unnoticed, calling global climate-vegetation-management interaction models.