Climate Change, Ecology and Systematics: Climate change and Cyperaceae
The threat of climate change to endemic taxa with restricted distributions, such as Carex spp.
Abstract
Cyperaceae (sedges) are a monocotyledenous angiosperm plant family with over 5300 species. Despite their global importance, few, if any, climate change studies have been carried out on, or with, Cyperaceae. However, they may be a model family on which to base such work. h ey are of economic, ethnobotanical, conservation and environmental importance, and a wide range of resources for Cyperaceae is available. Examples are given of where Cyperaceae may win or lose in the climate change stakes. Taxa with C 4 photosynthetic pathways, such as Cyperus rotundus (‘the world’s worst weed ’), C. longus and members of Cyperus sect. Arenarii , are potential winners that could considerably extend their distributions. Niche modelling results are presented showing the predicted areas of climatic suitability for C. rotundus (globally) and C. longus (British Isles) in 2050. Furthermore, historical distribution data are presented that show the northward range expansion of C. longus in Britain during the last 100 years. h e chapter highlights the threat of climate change to endemic taxa with restricted distributions, such as Carex spp., Isolepis spp., Khaosokia caricoides and Mapania spp. h ese appear particularly vulnerable, although, as yet, there is no direct evidence of climate change threatening or eliminating taxa.