Plant geographic origin significantly influenced relative concentrations of nutrient content and morphology with variations between origins of the same species (i.e., genetic factors). Altitudinal gradients differ in several factors, including atmospheric pressure, precipitation, solar radiation, and soil nutrients. Because low temperatures at high altitudes are likely to limit decomposition and other soil processes, soil organic carbon (C) concentration may increase. In contrast, the availability of soil nutrients (e.g., N and P) may decrease with increasing elevation. Moreover, climatic factors, indicated by air temperature, precipitation, and UV radiation, can also vary with altitudes, thus creating complex environmental changes along the altitudinal gradients-microbial communities.

Plants are often subjected to extreme temperatures, including cold stress and heat stress. Cold and heat stress significantly restrains plants' geographical distribution, growth habits, and productivity. High-temperature-induced shortening of developmental phases reduced light perception over the shortened life cycle and perturbated the processes associated with carbon assimilation and oxidative damage caused by the heat-induced imbalance of photosynthesis and respiration. Under cold stress conditions, plants exhibit various cold-induced physiological and biochemical responses, such as the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), changes in membrane lipid composition, and alterations in osmolytes. Both cold and heat alter the fluidity of cellular membranes, which can affect the structure and activity of membrane-localized proteins such as Ca²⁺ channels, thereby triggering Ca²⁺ influx, a crucial process for inducing temperature-responsive gene expression.