We investigated clonal diversity, genet size structure and genet longevity in populations of four arctic‐alpine plants ( Carex curvula , Dryas octopetala , Salix herbacea and Vaccinium uliginosum ) to evaluate their persistence under past climatic oscillations and their potential resistance to future climate change. The size and number of genets were determined by an analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphisms and a st...