Vaccinium atlanticum

Cultivated Blueberry

Vaccinium atlanticum is a cultivated blueberry that resulted from a cross between two American blueberry species. It is a deciduous shrub species of the heather family. The plant reaches a height of 1 to 2 metres and is characterised by its often red-coloured twigs. The leaves are ovate to elliptical, often with a finely toothed leaf margin, and can turn an intense red in autumn. In spring the shrub flowers with small, bell-shaped, white to pink flowers that are clustered at the ends of the twigs. These flowers develop into small, dark blue to almost black berries with a sweet-sour taste. These fruits are not only popular with wild animals such as birds and mammals, but also with humans. In natural habitats, Vaccinium atlanticum is often found in peat bogs, on sandy or gravelly soils and in sparse forests.

Types of damage

Ecological damage

Even though Vaccinium atlanticum in its uncultivated form is only widespread in small areas, it can spread especially in sensitive bog ecosystems, where it can suppress the vegetation typical there. This also includes species that are particularly rare in Germany, such as cross-leaved heath, cotton grass, sundew or crowberry.

Region of origin

No natural area of origin

Introduction vectors

Agriculture

Vaccinium atlanticum is one of many varieties of cultivated blueberries that have been grown and bred agriculturally.

Dissemination by animals

Birds can eat the seeds of cultivated blueberries and excrete them in their droppings in other places. This allows the seeds to be spread over greater distances.
Current distribution

Based on the FlorKart Database of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, as of 2013

Miscellaneous

Family

The heather family (Ericaceae) comprises about 125 genera with about 4250 species. They are distributed worldwide, with a focus on the cool to cold zones of the northern hemisphere and the Capensis region in South Africa. The family comprises mainly shrubs, rarely small trees or herbaceous plants. Characteristic are the often leathery, evergreen leaves and the conspicuous, five-petalled flowers. Many species are adapted to acid soils and occur in heath and moor landscapes. Well-known representatives are the heather species (Calluna and Erica), the cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and the rhododendrons (Rhododendron). Some species produce edible fruits, such as the blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), or are used as ornamental plants.

Climate change

Vaccinium atlanticum has already filled its potentially suitable habitat under current climate conditions. It does not benefit from climate change because in the future its potentially suitable habitat will become smaller. The environmental factors that most influence its spread are soil type, autumn precipitation, summer precipitation, winter temperature and habitat type.

Positive effects

Blueberries have been a sought-after food source for thousands of years. They are not only eaten fresh, but also made into jam or used as an ingredient in pastries. This is just as true for the potentially invasive cultivated blueberry as for the wild varieties.

Dispersion forecast

Indicates the proportion of land suitable for habitat under current and future climate conditions (2060-2080) under three emission scenarios (RCP26, RCP45 & RCP85).

Habitat suitability maps

Instructions for use: Click here

Habitat suitability under current climate conditions

These habitat suitability maps show for Vaccinium atlanticum where suitable habitat conditions exist.

The map on the left shows this for current climate conditions. Below this are maps for the time classes 2040-2060 and 2061-2080, in which three different emission scenarios can be selected.

The slider at the top left allows you to adjust the opacity of the map to make orientation easier.

By clicking on the respective quadrant, information on the environmental conditions present in it can be called up.

The methodology is explained here .

Habitat suitability 2040 - 2060

2040-2060: In the RCP2.6 scenario, GHG emissions are expected to peak by 2040 through comprehensive mitigation measures and to decline rapidly thereafter. By 2060, global warming would stabilise at about 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Subtle changes in precipitation patterns could vary regionally, with some areas facing increased drought and others increased precipitation.

2040-2060: Under RCP4.5, GHG emissions would continue to increase until 2040, but stabilise at a high level thereafter. By 2060, there could be a global temperature increase of about 2°C above pre-industrial levels. This scenario would likely cause moderate changes in precipitation patterns, with potential regional differences.

2040-2060: Under RCP8.5, which assumes continued intensive use of fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions would rise sharply by 2060. The global temperature increase could be around 2.5-3°C. In this scenario, significant changes in precipitation patterns could occur, with an increased likelihood of extreme weather events.

Habitat suitability 2061 - 2080

2060-2080: By 2080, global warming could be limited to below 2°C in the RCP2.6 scenario, provided emission reductions are consistently pursued. Impacts on precipitation patterns would likely stabilise, although regional variance would remain significant.

2060-2080: In the RCP4.5 scenario, global temperatures would continue to increase and could be around 2.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2080. Changes in precipitation patterns would likely increase and regional differences could become more pronounced.

2060-2080: Under RCP8.5, global temperatures could rise by more than 4°C above pre-industrial levels by 2080. Precipitation patterns would be expected to change significantly, with further increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. This would have far-reaching impacts on ecological and socio-economic systems.