Since 2005, the Missouri Botanical Garden has conducted research focused on climate change in the Himalayas. The Himalayas are one of the most botanically rich alpine areas in the world, home to hundreds of plant species that don’t exist anywhere else.
Over the years, the program has involved several Garden scientists and a wide range of international collaborators, including partnerships with local communities. They work together to track climate change’s impacts on plant ecology and the adaptive knowledge systems that guide local uses of mountain plants.
In October 2024, Garden scientists Natalie Konig and Robbie Hart spent three weeks in southwest China working with the Shangri-La Alpine Botanical Garden to resurvey plots established in 2009.
The collaborative team visited permanent plots at four summits ranging from 4500-4900 meters above sea level. They collected data on 150 species, including plants valuable to local people as food, medicine, and pasture, and recovered loggers that had been recording hourly soil temperatures.
The team prepares to begin the trek 2200 meters up the Mei Li Shui river gorge to their base camp. Photo by Robbie Hart.Garden scientist Dr. Robbie Hart surveying one of the permanent plots at Summit Four. Photo by Elsa Hart.There are many unique plants adapted to the shifting scree slopes of Himalayan summits. Eriophyton wallichii is a mint-family plant here seen in steep scree that must be climbed to reach Summit 4. Photo by Robbie Hart.The full team at Summit Three, including members from Shangri-La Alpine Botanical Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden, Central China Normal University and Western Washington University. Photo by Elsa Hart.Saxifraga diversifolia and Allium forrestii in the rocky talus of Summit Two.Photo by Robbie Hart.Dr. Eric DeChaine and Elsa Hart resurvey plant species identity and abundance at one of the one-square-meter permanent plots on Summit Three. Photo by Robbie Hart.Horses have been carrying goods and equipment along mountain trails in these mountains for hundreds of years. Ours were carrying some newer equipment, including (in this shot) a drone for aerial photography. Photo by Robbie Hart.Base camp at 4,200 meters. Photo by Robbie Hart.Fang Zhendong and Natalie Mueller compiling plant lists for Summit 1. Photo by Robbie Hart.Fang Ye extracting one of the data loggers that has been measuring hourly soil temperature for the past eight years. Photo by Robbie Hart.Gentiana szechenyii at almost 5000 meters above sea level on Summit Four. Photo by Robbie Hart. Fang Ye and Dr. Robbie Hart resurveying Summit 1 in the typical mountain weather. Photo by Elsa Hart. Team ascending to Summit Three. Photo by Robbie Hart. Temperature loggers allow the team to connect observed changes in plant communities to changes in temperature, and hundreds of waterproof data sheets ensure that we collect exactly comparable information.Photo by Robbie Hart.The team conducts surveys in early fall in order to obtain maximum measurable plant diversity. In this season, some of the most vibrant of flowers are the gentians. This is Gentiana arethusae var delicatula at Summit One.Photo by Robbie Hart.
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