This work was based on the amazing International Tundra Experiment (ITEX) and funded by @ec.europa.eu @nordborn.bsky.social & others. Thanks to my 38 wonderful coauthors, including @icbarrio.bsky.social @annebeejay.bsky.social @robertgbjork.bsky.social @matsbjorkman.bsky.social (5/6)

Our findings indicate that tundra borealization might not involve rapid displacement of tundra by boreal species, but rather an overall increase in the abundance of boreal species with already established presence in the Arctic. (4/6)

At the species level, boreal-tundra species colonised Arctic plots more often than boreal specialists. Boreal species that colonised more often were shorter, and more likely to be shrubs and graminoids. (3/6)

Half of our studied plots (1137) experienced colonisations by or increases in abundance of boreal species. At the community level, borealization was greater at sites in Eurasia, alpine zones, closer to treeline, and at warmer and wetter sites. (2/6)

🌲 Boreal-tundra species drive Arctic plant borealization 🌲

Our new study in #EcologyLetters quantifies tundra plant borealization, assesses its main drivers and identifies the species & traits contributing to borealization.

doi.org/10.1111/ele....

🧵 (1/6) 🌐🧪🌱🌍

It was a pleasure to present on plant #borealization @nordborn.bsky.social at the Icelandic #Vistís2025 @nordicoikos.bsky.social meeting as a representative from the south, but even more so to hear Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdóttir recapping >30 years of wonderful #ITEX tundra research 🌲🌿

This work was based on the outstanding International Tundra Experiment (ITEX) and done in collaboration with 54 wonderful coauthors, including @annebeejay.bsky.social @robertgbjork.bsky.social @matsbjorkman.bsky.social @belenfadrique.bsky.social @tokehoye.bsky.social @elinakaarlej.bsky.social (6/8)

Our findings show how climate and biotic factors can drive plant compositional change. These observed changes can have cascading consequences for wildlife, ecosystem functions, and the livelihoods of Arctic communities. (5/8)

Despite changes in plant composition, Arctic plant communities did not become more similar to each other, suggesting no biotic homogenization thus far. The precise identity of plant communities depended on local context and factors. (4/8)

Where temperatures have increased most over time, there were more species gains and losses. Where tall shrubs expanded, species richness and evenness decreased due to competition. Thus, warming and biotic interactions emerged as the main drivers of diversity change. (3/8)

Despite plant species richness being greater at warmer lower latitudes, richness change was multi-directional, leading to no net change over time on average. However, species turnover was widespread, with species being gained and/or lost at 59% of plots and abundance changes at 99% of plots. (2/8)

🌸Plant diversity dynamics over space and time in a warming Arctic 🌸

Our new study @nature.com analysed plant diversity change in >2000 tundra plots over 4 decades. We found that plants changed unevenly, mostly driven by warming and biotic interactions.

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

🧵 (1/7) 🌐🧪🌱🌍

🌱 Seminar on functional trait ecology 🌱

I'll be discussing my research on Arctic plant traits next 14 Jan at the ECR seminar organised by @dittemch.bsky.social & Nadine Artz. So excited to present alongside legends
@bjenquist.bsky.social & @lacapary.bsky.social. Join us! forms.gle/gemqP82kQgpN...

🌿 We need to raise the profile of #bryophyte ecological research 🌿 (and also a bryophyte emoji!)

In this opinion piece, we as a group of #ECRs outline barriers in bryophyte research and provide recommendations to overcome them across institutional levels & disciplines.

doi.org/10.1016/j.ba...