Climate change has led to significant shifts in plant distribution, as evidenced by a study conducted in Southern California's Santa Rosa Mountains. The study compared plant cover surveys conducted in 1977 and 2006-2007 along a 2,314-meter elevation gradient. The results showed that the average elevation of dominant plant species increased by approximately 65 meters between the two surveys. This shift is attributed to changes in regional climate, including increased warming, higher precipitation variability, and reduced snowfall. The study found that the distribution of individual species changed markedly, with some species moving upward in elevation. The shift in plant distribution was not due to changes in air pollution or fire frequency, but rather to climate change. The study also found that the overall plant cover remained stable, but the distribution of individual species changed. The changes in plant distribution were consistent with the expected effects of climate change, including increased temperature, frost-free periods, and severe droughts. The study concluded that climate change is a major factor in the redistribution of plant species, and that these changes are likely to continue in the future. The study also highlighted the importance of long-term monitoring of plant distribution to understand the impacts of climate change on ecosystems.Climate change has led to significant shifts in plant distribution, as evidenced by a study conducted in Southern California's Santa Rosa Mountains. The study compared plant cover surveys conducted in 1977 and 2006-2007 along a 2,314-meter elevation gradient. The results showed that the average elevation of dominant plant species increased by approximately 65 meters between the two surveys. This shift is attributed to changes in regional climate, including increased warming, higher precipitation variability, and reduced snowfall. The study found that the distribution of individual species changed markedly, with some species moving upward in elevation. The shift in plant distribution was not due to changes in air pollution or fire frequency, but rather to climate change. The study also found that the overall plant cover remained stable, but the distribution of individual species changed. The changes in plant distribution were consistent with the expected effects of climate change, including increased temperature, frost-free periods, and severe droughts. The study concluded that climate change is a major factor in the redistribution of plant species, and that these changes are likely to continue in the future. The study also highlighted the importance of long-term monitoring of plant distribution to understand the impacts of climate change on ecosystems.