Shrub growth in the Alps diverges from air temperature since the 1990s

Abstract In the European Alps, air temperature has increased almost twice as much global average over last century and, a corollary, snow cover duration decreased substantially. Arctic, dendroecological studies have evidenced that shrub growth is highly sensitive to temperature—this phenomenon often been linked expansion and ecosystem greening. Yet, impacts of climate change on mountain radial not studied with comparable level detail so far. Moreover, performed in environments did account for potential modulation and/or buffering warming by topography, despite its possible crucial role complex alpine environments. To fill this gap, we analyzed network eight sites dominated dwarf Rhododendron ferrugineum . The selected analysis represent diversity continentality, elevation slope aspect can be found across French Alps. We quantified annual increment 119 individuals, assembled meteorological reanalyzes specifically accounting topographic effects (elevation, aspect) assessed climate-growth relations using mixed modeling approach. agreement vast majority work conducted arctic environments, find number growing degree days during snow-free period (SFGDDs) strong consistent driver R. all since 1960 until late 1980s. also document marked loss sensitivity increasing SFGDD 1990s, decoupling being more pronounced at driest sites. Our observations spatial temporal variability limiting factors compared ‘divergence’ problem observed tree-ring series from circumpolar regions accordingly, sheds light future trajectories response ongoing change.