Current research trends in mountain biodiversity in NW Europe

Abstract

Focusing on four themes in relation to biodiversity (vegetation science, keystone grazers, long-term studies and protected areas), a synthesis of current research in the mountain areas of Fennoscandia, Iceland and Scotland is presented. Recent relevant advances in vegetation science include classifications of mountain habitats which together with species distribution maps offer new possibilities for analysis. Generalisations emerging from comparisons of the ecology and ecophysiology of plants between different mountain areas are greatly needed. Further studies on the ecological impacts of keystone grazers are urgently required because of the alarming rate of degradation of mountain habitats. The topics highlighted from northern Fennoscandia include (i) the effect of overgrazing by reindeer on the cover of foliose lichens and on the regeneration of mountain birch, (ii) the ecological interactions between the autumnal moth and mountain birch, and (Hi) the effect of rodents on vegetation. Long-term studies of slow processes to capture rare but important events are needed to better understand the functioning of mountain ecosystems. Examples of such studies are presented for (i) the moss Racomitrium lanuginosum as an indicator of airborne nitrogen pollution, (ii) research based on cyclic oscillations of vole numbers, and (Hi) the application of breeding birds in environmental assessment. The conservation of appropriate areas is important for mountain biodiversity. Mountain habitats have been protected extensively in northern Europe. The evaluation of how representative the existing areas are and how to use them for research need international co-ordination.