New model species for arctic‐alpine plant molecular ecology

Arctic and alpine, high latitude elevation environments are one of the most stressful for species to inhabit. This harshness manifests itself in lower richness comparison more southern vegetation zones (Francis & Currie, 2003). Furthermore, climatic oscillations—past predicted—have dramatic effect on these ecosystems. For example, regions continental ice sheets—the northernmost part Western Europe North America—the assemblages no older than a few thousands years, which is relatively short period from an evolutionary perspective. Although similar may have existed further south during Ice Age, allowing some preadaptation species, current habitat unique combination environmental factors such as climate, soil, bedrock, photoperiod. Hence, understanding forces shaping Arctic-alpine will be important predicting vulnerable environments’ population viability adaptive potential future. In this issue Molecular Ecology Resources, Nowak et al. (Molecular Resources) present extensive genome-wide resources plant Draba nivalis. adds valuable new member into cabbage family models genetics adaptation studies, accompany e.g., Arabidopsis (Nature Genetics, 43, 476; Nature, 408, 796), Arabis Plants, 1, 14023) Capsella 45, 831). A whole avenue open up molecular ecological studies not only D. nivalis, but large genus with its diverse characteristics.