Trees in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest are moving to find better temperatures. A new study shows that trees in mountain forests are moving uphill to escape the heat caused by climate change. Similarly, some trees in lowland forests are moving downhill. The study, published in the Journal of Vegetation Science, is the first to show how climate change is affecting tree species in the Atlantic Forest.
Dr. Rodrigo Bergamin from the University of Birmingham said, “Different species are moving in different directions. In lower forests, trees move downhill more often, likely due to factors other than temperature, like competition. In higher mountain forests, most species move uphill as it gets warmer, which could endanger species that need colder climates.”
The researchers studied 627 tree species in 96 locations within the forest. They used community temperature scores (CTS) to understand climate patterns. They also found that younger trees in high-altitude areas are growing more and moving uphill faster than older trees.
Prof. Sandra Müller from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul noted that species from higher altitudes are more sensitive to temperature changes. Trees that need cold weather are more likely to lose out to those that prefer warmth.
The Brazilian Atlantic Forest, also called Mata Atlântica, stretches from the northeast state of Rio Grande do Norte to the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. It extends inland to Paraguay and Argentina’s Misiones province. Known for its rich biodiversity, the forest is home to many unique species and ecosystems.
“This study focused on the southern part of the Atlantic Forest, but other regions might show different trends. We are now collaborating with researchers across the whole biome to understand how these forests are responding to global changes,” said Dr. Adriane Esquivel Muelbert, Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham.
