Climate change and biodiversity in Melanesia: climate change impacts on native plant communities in Melanesia

Abstract

Melanesia is a hotspot of diversity for vascular and non-vascular plant species, with estimated species endemism as high as 80% for New Guinea. The current lack of sitespecific climate and species information is a major impediment to the assessment of possible effects of climate change on islands within Melanesia. Plant communities predicted to be impacted most by the effects of climate change are the mangrove and coastal systems, montane systems, and dryland vegetation communities. However, anthropogenic effects, such as land-clearing, logging, and fire, may have greater effects on diversity in the short-term. Research needs for the area include intensive botanical surveys, physiological and phenological assessments of plant species to the effects of climate change, and long-term monitoring to determine baseline and trends in biodiversity and community structure.