These changes would be accompanied by a northward movement of the southern limit of these two species in Fennoscandia. The species composition of future forests would depend on changes in the continentality of each site. Such results have not yet been confirmed by empirical studies. Many changes in forests may occur as a consequence of subtle alterations in the competitive balance between species. For example, rising temperatures are likely to change the time interval between budburst and leaf fall, but the effects will differ among species.
Similar patterns are likely elsewhere in Europe.