- Photoperiod–Temperature Interactions in a Changing Climate: A Review of Plant Phenological Responses
https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.70113
Climate change is reshaping plant phenology and species distributions, particularly in temperate and boreal ecosystems, where advances in spring events have already extended the growing season. While temperature has been the primary focus of many studies, the role of photoperiod—a stable, latitude-dependent cue—has received comparatively little attention. In this review, we synthesise evidence from 68 studies covering 344 taxa across the Northern Hemisphere to assess how photoperiod and rising temperatures interact to shape plant phenological responses. Our synthesis shows that key life cycle events, including bud burst, flowering and senescence, are governed by complex photoperiod–temperature interactions. Spring phenology appears to be particularly sensitive, with long photoperiods compensating for insufficient winter chilling in many species. However, photoperiodic constraints may limit the adaptive potential of certain species, especially at high latitudes, acting as a barrier to range expansion under climate warming. Understanding temperature–photoperiod interactions is therefore crucial for improving predictions of species responses to climate change, informing conservation strategies and supporting ecosystem management, for instance through the selection of appropriate plant material for assisted colonisation.
- Partecipation to the 5th Mediterranean Plant Conservation Week
- CYBO 2025 presentation
- Viscaria alpina Response to Extreme Climatic Events: The Role of Latitude
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71146
Extreme climatic events have become increasingly frequent due to global warming. These events negatively affect both animal and plant organisms, causing stress and, in the most severe cases, an increase in mortality. This study assessed the ability of Viscaria alpina, an Arctic-alpine plant, to cope with stress induced by extreme heat waves. The study compared the response of Scandinavian populations with that of Alpine and Apennine populations, which naturally experience very different climatic and photoperiodic conditions due to latitude and altitude. The results indicate that northern populations have a greater ability to withstand stress caused by extreme events (high temperatures, low water availability) compared to populations from Mediterranean mountain ranges, which are therefore highly threatened by climate change. The greater resilience of Scandinavian populations is likely linked to their higher genetic diversity.