| Summary: | In an underexplored region of the East Sayan mountains, ecophysiological traits of two conifers, <i>Pinus sibirica</i> Du Tour and <i>Abies sibírica</i> Ledeb., have been studied. The goal was to predict which of the species co-dominating the same habitat is more vulnerable under prospective climate change. Along a transect from the treeline to the floodplain, photosynthetic pigment content and electron-transport rate (ETR) were measured in needles of neighboring trees of the species. From 570 to 1240 m a.s.l., <i>P. sibirica</i> does not suffer from stress factors during the growing season, while <i>A. sibirica</i> does. The latter is reflected in a decrease of pigment content and ETR with the increase of altitude. A stronger climate-change trend (probably to more dry and warm conditions) will likely favor the shift of <i>P. sibirica</i> upper in altitudes, and only under the pine shelter might the fir survive the changes.
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