[21]-SOBRINO, E., GONZÁLEZ-MORENO, A., SANZ-ELORZA, M.,
DANA, E.D., SÁNCHEZ-MATA, D. & GAVILÁN, R.
The expansion
of thermophilic plants in the Iberian Peninsula as a sign of climatic change. In G.R. Walther, C.A. Burga & J. Edwards
(eds.) ‘Fingerprints’ of Climate Change –Adapted behaviour and shifting species
ranges, pp. 163-184. Kluwer Academic/ Plenum Publishers, New York & London.
Summary:
In this paper we provide a wealth
of evidences indicating that Global Warming can be causing the expansion of
several thermophilous alien and native species. The aliens Araujia
sericifera, Arcthotheca calendula or the natives Dittrichia
(Inula) viscossa and Sonchus tenerrimus are some of the examples
discussed. Traditionally restricted to warm areas (generally coastal lands) of
the Iberian Peninsula, nowadays these species are found in cool,
continental or even mountainous areas. The analysis of herbarium records and
climatic data variations suggest that this expansion of thermophilous plants
could have started in the 1970’s, the moment from which the burnt of fossil
combustibles strongly increased.