Abstract ID: 3.11589 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

The Himalayas are incredibly rich in biodiversity, with high levels of endemic and useful species. However, this region is also experiencing much higher rates of climate change in comparison to the global average. To document effects of climate change on Himalayan vegetation we completed a resampling of 33 alpine summits within 9 target regions across Nepal, Bhutan and the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (TAP), China after a period of 7-11 years. We found that summits across the Himalaya are increasing in species richness at a rate of about 1.1 species per year. Over the entire survey period, this equated to an increase of 4.9 species at each of the 8 variable-area sections of a summit (t = 2.4, df = 227, P < 0.05) and +1.4 species in each 1m2 plot (t = 2.7, df = 475, P < 0.01). While both endemic and widespread species showed increases in species richness, endemic species showed higher rates of increase at higher elevations, while widespread species were favored at lower elevations. We also found that timing of resurveys played a significant role in observed changes in richness and frequency. Observed increases in species richness of alpine summits may mask an emerging threat to more vulnerable endemic species.