Earth Equity News

Plants at Habitat's Edge May Enhance Survival of Species. ScienceDaily, June 25, 2008. "Plants existing at the edges of their natural habitats may enhance survival of the species during global warming, says Queen's University [biology] professor [Christopher Eckert]. 'Predicting the speed at which plants are likely to migrate during climate warming could be key to ensuring their survival,' [he says]. Populations of plants growing at the outer edges of their natural 'geographic range' exist in a precarious balance between extinction of existing populations and founding of new populations, via seed dispersal into vacant but suitable habitat. 'Policy makers concerned with preserving plant species should focus not only on conserving land where species are now, but also where they may be found in the future,' says Dr. Eckert. This observation stems from his recent study -- published in the scientific journal New Phytologist -- which shows for the first time that natural selection gives a boost to the seed dispersal traits of those plants growing at the edges of their natural ranges."