Alpine Plant Response to Climate Change
Mosquito Range is one of the most diverse mountain ranges in the Colorado with rich plant biodiversity. At Horseshoe Mountain, Denver Botanic Gardens scientists -- led by Alexandra Seglias, Seed Conservation Research Associate -- are studying the species Physaria alpina (Avery Peak Twinpod) to understand how it responds to climate change in its natural habitat. It is a rare endemic species that is only found in Colorado. Lab experiments have showed that seed germination responds well to warming temperatures, but a lab can only show so much. Once we have results from its natural habitat, we can tell how this and other species may respond to the warming climate.
