Format: ORAL

Sonia Sarmiento Cabello1, Priscila Rodrguez Rodrguez1, Yessica Rico2, Leticia Curbelo Muoz1, Pedro A. Sosa Henrquez1

1 Instituto Universitario de Estudios Ambientales y Recursos Naturales (iUNAT), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria University, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. 2 Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Red de Diversidad Biológica del Occidente Mexicano, Centro Regional del Bajío, Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, México.

Climate change poses a significant threat to endemic and native flora, particularly those inhabiting upper vegetation zones. While the impact of climate change on continental alpine ecosystems has been extensively studied, little progress has been made in understanding high mountain ocean ecosystems. Using a combination of species distribution models and landscape genetic methods, our study focuses on species inhabiting high mountain ecosystems in the Canary Islands. In this context, we aim to 1) characterize genetically different populations, 2) estimate interpopulation gene flow and functional connectivity, 3) determine the current and forecasting future habitat suitability, and, finally, 4) assess the impact of climate change on these plant species. Like alpine regions, we expect that species within the upper vegetation zones of the Canary Islands are vulnerable to population declines due to climate change, especially those with restricted distribution and short-distance dispersal, such as the Teide violet. Ultimately, our research aims to develop enhanced conservation strategies for the endemic and native flora of the Canary Islands.