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Featured Application: Observed shifts in the altitudinal distribution of capercaillie confirms the relevance of habitat restoration actions. Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus L.), a territorial galliform species, is known to prefer mature conifer stands with canopy gaps and a vigorous understory of ericaceous species. Capercaillie is a useful umbrella species that has recently shown declining population trends and distribution changes in its southern geographic range. We aim to identify and assess the possible changes in summer capercaillie habitat selection between 2001 and 2011 in the Scanuppia Natura 2000 site (south-eastern Alps). The area is dominated by spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karsten) forests, followed by mixed forests, scrub, and open habitats. In both years, summer presence–absence of capercaillie was verified through the detection of droppings over 10 m radius circular plots located along contour lines (1500–1800 m). A set of environmental and habitat features was also surveyed. While overall population numbers remain unchanged over the surveyed period, results have shown an altitudinal shift in capercaillie distribution. Habitat variables had a stronger effect on the presence of capercaillie in 2001 than in 2011. Land cover and climate change are likely among the drivers of the shift in altitudinal distribution. This confirms the relevance of habitat restoration actions and to monitor changes in factors explaining capercaillie habitat selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To assess the spatial-temporal dynamics of primary succession following deglaciation in soil-dwelling lichen communities. Location European Alps (Austria, Switzerland and Italy). Methods Five glacier forelands subjected to relevant glacier retreat during the last century were investigated. In each glacier foreland, three successional stages were selected at increasing distance from the glacier, corresponding to a gradient of time since deglaciation between 25 and 160 years. In each successional stage, soil-dwelling lichens were surveyed within five 1 × 1 m plots. In addition to a classical ecological framework, based on species richness and composition, we applied a functional approach to better elucidate community assembly mechanisms. Results A positive relationship was found between species richness and time since deglaciation indicating that richer lichen communities can be found at increasing terrain ageing. This pattern was associated with compositional shifts, suggesting that different community assemblages can be found along the successional stages. The analysis of β-diversity revealed a significant nested pattern of species assemblages along the gradient (i.e. earlier successional stages hosted a subset of the species already established in older successional stages), while the turnover component was less relevant. Considering functional groups, we found contrasting patterns in relation to time since deglaciation: the incidence of species with a cyanobacterial photobiont and those reproducing by spores decreased, while that of species reproducing by vegetative propagules increased. Main conclusions This study reveals that community assembly patterns of soil-dwelling lichens in alpine glacier forelands are ruled by mechanisms of directional species accumulation and trait selection that involve a trade-off between different functional strategies. Functional traits that reflect the dispersal and adaptation capability of the species underpin the colonization success of soil-dwelling lichens in glacier forelands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

n understanding of the processes and environmental conditions governing spatial variation in reproductive performance of plants can provide important information about the factors characterizing plant community structure and influencing fitness in natural plant populations, especially in the context of climate and land use change. In this study, 60 mountain populations of Dactylis glomerata distributed along a fertilization regime in varying grassland hay meadows were evaluated. Variations in field management, climate, soil fertility, vegetation structure, population density and species richness on reproductive performance were examined. The results indicated that field management and soil nutrient availability are the main variables influencing population density and reproductive output of D. glomerata. Moreover, the results show the effect of temperature on seed mass and resource investment in reproduction. Climate and soil change suggest a morphological differentiation of reproductive traits: (i) individuals grown on sites with higher soil nutrient availability or nutrient supply have larger inflorescences with a greater number and heavier seeds; (ii) individuals grown on warmer sites have heavier seeds. We conclude that if the climate warms and increases land use intensification in hay meadows in the Alps, this will have a pronounced positive impact on the reproductive performance of D. glomerata. Moreover, it can be hypothesized that the migration potential of D. glomerata towards higher altitudes may be likely in the near future in response to accelerated climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]