FS 3.214: Global change and shifts in non-native and native species distributions

Mountain ecosystems, celebrated for their unique biodiversity and high levels of endemism, are increasingly influenced by the spread of non-native species and the upward range shift of native species driven by global climate change. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation regimes, and shifting snowlines create conditions that allow both non-native species to establish and native species to move towards higher elevations, resulting in complex ecological impacts. This session invites contributions investigating the physiological, genetic, and ecological mechanisms influencing range shifts, such as dispersal, adaptation, and competition in new environments. Furthermore, we aim to explore how changes in species distributions impact biodiversity, species interactions, and ecosystem functions, including nutrient cycling, hydrological patterns, and disturbance regimes specific to mountain systems. By bringing together such research for both native and non-native species, this session seeks to deepen our understanding of the complex and interacting processes shaping mountain ecosystems under global change and address key scientific challenges in predicting and managing the ecological outcomes of these shifts.