"Zig Zag Larkspur - Delphinium patens" Photo Credit: larry&flo
Researchers predict that high-altitude sites will be especially impacted by global warming because plants have a short growing season. Innovative research since 1994 has shown the negative impact warming has on early-spring purple larkspur.
“Long-term observational studies in subalpine meadows of the Colorado Rocky Mountains have shown a strong positive correlation between snowpack and flower production by the forb Delphinium nuttallianum. If a warmer climate reduces annual snowfall in this region then global warming might reduce fitness in D. nuttallianum,” the study said.
I have seen this flower in abundance on spring hikes above Nederland, Colo. The flower was named after the Latin word for Dolphin because it was thought the buds resembled the aquatic mammals. Personally, I don’t see the resemblance, do you?
Since 1994 the study has shown that warming the flowers has reduced their abundance and production. This purple staple of the Rockies matters for more than its dolphin like shape, if it is lost it could have wide reaching impacts on bugs that pollinate the flowers.
Here are some interesting tidbits:
- The larkspur is a sign of spring that pops out of the ground right after the snow melts.
- Humming birds and bees pollinated the flower at the study site
- The study was conducted with heaters and warming lights – pretty cool!
- billy barr provided the snow data over the years (see post below!)
This study and others have shown that climate change doesn’t just mess with one specific species it impacts entire ecosystems and alpine climates are often the first to experience that change.
For the full PDF study click here.
Dot Alpine 