Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA)

Climatic changes, atmospheric warming in particular, will affect all ecosystems in Europe. Ecosystems of the alpine life zone are considered to be particularly sensitive to warming.

Direct effects (e.g. the ongoing upward-migration of species) and indirect effects (e.g. increased slope instability) may lead to the extinction of a variety of species. The severity of such "extinction scenarios", however, can only be documented by direct long-term monitoring. Compositional and structural changes of alpine ecosystems can be taken as excellent indicators for the ecological implications of climate change.