Articles | Volume 23, issue 12
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-4113-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-4113-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
22 Jun 2026
Research article |
| 22 Jun 2026
| 22 Jun 2026
How does biotic weathering work? Influence of alpine plants on rock temperature and rock moisture
Chair of Geomorphology, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
Urte Bauer
Chair of Geomorphology, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
Anke Jentsch
Chair of Disturbance Ecology, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
Thomas Deola
Chair of Disturbance Ecology, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
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David Kienle, Anna Walentowitz, Leyla Sungur, Alessandro Chiarucci, Severin D. H. Irl, Anke Jentsch, Ole R. Vetaas, Richard Field, and Carl Beierkuhnlein
Biogeosciences, 19, 1691–1703, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-1691-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-1691-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Volcanic islands consist mainly of basaltic rocks. Additionally, there are often occurrences of small phonolite rocks differing in color and surface. On La Palma (Canary Islands), phonolites appear to be more suitable for plants than the omnipresent basalts. Therefore, we expected phonolites to be species-rich with larger plant individuals compared to the surrounding basaltic areas. Indeed, as expected, we found more species on phonolites and larger plant individuals in general.
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Short summary
Weathering at steep rocky slopes is influenced by rock temperature and moisture which are both modified by plants. We used novel methods to measure rock moisture distribution. Plant cover was found to reduce temperature fluctuations while rock moisture increases under plant cover providing favourable sites for further vegetation establishment. We assume that plant cover reduces temperature weathering but enhances chemical weathering and crack formation through increased moisture.
Weathering at steep rocky slopes is influenced by rock temperature and moisture which are both...
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