Unveiling evolutionary insights for the long-term CONservation of CLIFF ecosystemS

Cliff ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots that harbor 30–65% of the world’s endemic plants. Today, many cliff-dwelling species face increasing threats from rock climbing and climate change, leading to the loss of unique cliff plant populations. Surprisingly, the effects of climate change on cliff species have not yet been studied. Furthermore, cliffs are primarily found in mountain regions, where warming is expected to be up to three times higher than in other areas. Therefore, research and conservation efforts must prioritize cliffs. The CONCLIFFS project investigates the functional and evolutionary dynamics of cliff plant communities and their short- and long-term resilience to global change. To achieve this, we implement a combination of field- and experiment-based research approaches. On one hand, we establish study sites on cliffs across protected mountain systems of the Iberian Peninsula, coinciding with areas of high endemism. This allows us to understand patterns of distribution and functional and phylogenetic diversity, and how these are mediated by environmental changes. On the other hand, evolutionary, ecological, and mechanistic experiments are conducted to assess how cliff species adapt to the harsh cliff environment and to future climatic scenarios, and whether their adaptive responses depend on altitudinal origin and biotic interactions. Consequently, CONCLIFFS applies innovative and multidisciplinary research to build a systemic framework that enhances conservation effectiveness and promotes the long-term protection of cliff ecosystems and their unique biodiversity.