Abstract ID: 3.12554 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Mountain areas, critical biodiversity hotspots, are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, which disrupts ecological interactions and species distributions. Here, we use the mountain hare (Lepus timidus) as a model to assess how ecological and evolutionary processes respond to climate change in the Alps. Range shifts do not occur in isolation but interact with species coexistence and habitat fragmentation. Using mathematical models, we previously predicted that climate change could alter interspecific interactions, promote hybridization with the European hare (Lepus europaeus), and negatively impact mountain hare populations. More recently, field studies in the Western Italian Alps, particularly in Gran Paradiso National Park, provided direct evidence of these changes, showing shifts in species interactions under changing conditions.
Building on these findings, we conducted landscape-scale analyses to assess how climate change fragments mountain hare habitat, isolating populations in high-altitude refugia. This phenomenon, common to many alpine species, transforms the Alps into a patchy landscape, further limiting genetic exchange among species of conservation concern. Strongly protected areas (e.g., national parks) serve as critical biodiversity monitoring hotspots supporting conservation strategies. However, efforts beyond these areas, particularly in buffer zones and habitat corridors, are crucial for maintaining ecological connectivity. We explore the potential for a unified conservation and monitoring network to sustain species conservation, particularly for the mountain hare, in rapidly changing mountain ecosystems.
A key challenge in biodiversity monitoring across the Alps remains fragmented data collection. Variability in spatial coverage, taxonomic focus, and methodology hampers large-scale assessments. Additionally, uncertainties in interspecific dynamics, habitat connectivity, and the ability of protected areas and stakeholders to mitigate climate impacts highlight the need for a coordinated approach. Aligned with AlpsLife’s broader goal of improving biodiversity monitoring, we aim to harmonize large-scale efforts, enhance data interoperability, and support more effective conservation planning.