On underestimation of global vulnerability to tree mortality and forest die‐off from hotter drought in the Anthropocene

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 6(8), P. 1 - 55

Published: Aug. 1, 2015

Patterns, mechanisms, projections, and consequences of tree mortality associated broad‐scale forest die‐off due to drought accompanied by warmer temperatures—“hotter drought”, an emerging characteristic the Anthropocene—are focus rapidly expanding literature. Despite recent observational, experimental, modeling studies suggesting increased vulnerability trees hotter pests pathogens, substantial debate remains among research, management policy‐making communities regarding future risks. We summarize key mortality‐relevant findings, differentiating between those implying lesser versus greater levels vulnerability. Evidence includes benefits elevated [CO 2 ] water‐use efficiency; observed modeled increases in growth canopy greening; widespread woody‐plant biomass, density, extent; compensatory physiological, morphological, genetic mechanisms; dampening ecological feedbacks; potential mitigation management. In contrast, document more rapid under negative physiological responses accelerated biotic attacks. Additional evidence rising background rates; projected frequency, intensity, duration; limitations vegetation models such as inadequately represented processes; warming feedbacks from die‐off; wildfire synergies. Grouping these findings we identify ten contrasting perspectives that shape but have not been discussed collectively. also present a set global drivers are known with high confidence: (1) droughts eventually occur everywhere; (2) produces droughts; (3) atmospheric moisture demand nonlinearly temperature during drought; (4) can faster drought, consistent fundamental physiology; (5) shorter frequently than longer become lethal warming, increasing frequency nonlinearly; (6) happens relative intervals needed for recovery. These high‐confidence drivers, concert research supporting perspectives, support overall viewpoint globally. surmise is being discounted part difficulties predicting threshold extreme climate events. Given profound societal implications underestimating highlight urgent challenges management, communities.

Language: Английский

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Asynchronous carbon sink saturation in African and Amazonian tropical forests

Nature, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 579(7797), P. 80 - 87

Published: March 4, 2020

Language: Английский

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Climate-driven risks to the climate mitigation potential of forests

Science, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 368(6497)

Published: June 18, 2020

Risks to mitigation potential of forests Much recent attention has focused on the trees and mitigate ongoing climate change by acting as sinks for carbon. Anderegg et al. review growing evidence that forests' is increasingly at risk from a range adversities limit forest growth health. These include physical factors such drought fire biotic factors, including depredations insect herbivores fungal pathogens. Full assessment quantification these risks, which themselves are influenced climate, key achieving science-based policy outcomes effective land management. Science , this issue p. eaaz7005

Language: Английский

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Drivers and mechanisms of tree mortality in moist tropical forests

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 219(3), P. 851 - 869

Published: Feb. 16, 2018

Tree mortality rates appear to be increasing in moist tropical forests (MTFs) with significant carbon cycle consequences. Here, we review the state of knowledge regarding MTF tree mortality, create a conceptual framework testable hypotheses drivers, mechanisms and interactions that may underlie rates, identify next steps for improved understanding reduced prediction. Increasing are associated rising temperature vapor pressure deficit, liana abundance, drought, wind events, fire and, possibly, CO2 fertilization-induced increases stand thinning or acceleration trees reaching larger, more vulnerable heights. The majority these drivers kill part through starvation hydraulic failure. relative importance each driver is unknown. High species diversity buffer MTFs against large-scale but recent expected trends give reason concern within MTFs. Models advancing representation hydraulics, demography, require empirical most common their subsequent mechanisms. We outline critical datasets model developments required test underlying causes improve prediction future under climate change. Contents Summary 852 I. Introduction II. Amazon Basin 854 III. Global regional 855 IV. On coupling 859 V. Mitigating factors promote survival VI. ESM simulations VII. Next 860 VIII. Conclusions 863 Acknowledgements ORCID References

Language: Английский

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Global importance of large‐diameter trees

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 27(7), P. 849 - 864

Published: May 8, 2018

Abstract Aim To examine the contribution of large‐diameter trees to biomass, stand structure, and species richness across forest biomes. Location Global. Time period Early 21st century. Major taxa studied Woody plants. Methods We examined large density, biomass using a global network 48 (from 2 60 ha) plots representing 5,601,473 stems 9,298 210 plant families. This was assessed three metrics: largest 1% ≥ 1 cm diameter at breast height (DBH), all DBH, those rank‐ordered that cumulatively comprise 50% biomass. Results Averaged these plots, DBH comprised aboveground live with hectare‐scale standard deviation 26%. Trees 41% tree The size correlated total ( r = .62, p < .001). Large‐diameter in high forests represented far fewer relative overall .45, Forests more diverse communities were smaller .33, Lower associated being individuals common .17, .002). concentration declined increasing absolute latitude .46, .001), as did density .31, Forest structural complexity increased .26, Main conclusions Because constitute roughly half mature worldwide, their dynamics sensitivities environmental change represent potentially controls on carbon cycling. recommend managing for conservation existing or can soon reach diameters simple way conserve enhance ecosystem services.

Language: Английский

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A starting guide to root ecology: strengthening ecological concepts and standardising root classification, sampling, processing and trait measurements

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 232(3), P. 973 - 1122

Published: Oct. 5, 2021

Summary In the context of a recent massive increase in research on plant root functions and their impact environment, ecologists currently face many important challenges to keep generating cutting‐edge, meaningful integrated knowledge. Consideration below‐ground components ecosystem studies has been consistently called for decades, but methodology is disparate sometimes inappropriate. This handbook, based collective effort large team experts, will improve trait comparisons across integration information databases by providing standardised methods controlled vocabularies. It meant be used not only as starting point students scientists who desire working ecosystems, also experts consolidating broadening views multiple aspects ecology. Beyond classical compilation measurement protocols, we have synthesised recommendations from literature provide key background knowledge useful for: (1) defining entities giving keys dissection, classification naming beyond fine‐root vs coarse‐root approach; (2) considering specificity produce sound laboratory field data; (3) describing typical, overlooked steps studying roots (e.g. handling, cleaning storage); (4) gathering metadata necessary interpretation results reuse. Most importantly, all traits introduced with some degree ecological that foundation understanding meaning, typical use uncertainties, methodological conceptual perspectives future research. Considering this, urge readers solely extract protocol measurements this work, take moment read reflect extensive contained broader guide ecology, including sections I–VII introductions each section description. Finally, it critical understand major aim help break down barriers between subdisciplines ecology ecophysiology, broaden researchers’ study create favourable conditions inception comprehensive experiments role functioning.

Language: Английский

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Global change and terrestrial plant community dynamics

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 113(14), P. 3725 - 3734

Published: Feb. 29, 2016

Significance Global terrestrial vegetation plays a critical role in biogeochemical cycles and provides important ecosystem services. Vegetation has been altered by anthropogenic global change drivers including land-use change, disturbance regimes, invasive species, climate for decades to centuries, or some cases millennia. responses land use can be more immediate than long lasting. The effect of warming on water balance may have stronger influence the direct effects temperature vegetation. Models deployed at multiple ecological scales, populations, communities, landscapes will required forecast feedbacks accelerated change.

Language: Английский

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Allometric equations for integrating remote sensing imagery into forest monitoring programmes

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 23(1), P. 177 - 190

Published: July 6, 2016

Remote sensing is revolutionizing the way we study forests, and recent technological advances mean are now able - for first time to identify measure crown dimensions of individual trees from airborne imagery. Yet make full use these data quantifying forest carbon stocks dynamics, a new generation allometric tools which have tree height size at their centre needed. Here, compile global database 108753 stem diameter, diameter all been measured, including 2395 harvested aboveground biomass. Using this database, develop general models estimating both biomass attributes can be remotely sensed specifically diameter. We show that jointly quantify find single equation predicts two variables across world's forests. These provide an intuitive integrating remote imagery into large-scale monitoring programmes will key importance parameterizing next dynamic vegetation models.

Language: Английский

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Scientists' warning on climate change and insects

Ecological Monographs, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 93(1)

Published: Nov. 7, 2022

Abstract Climate warming is considered to be among the most serious of anthropogenic stresses environment, because it not only has direct effects on biodiversity, but also exacerbates harmful other human‐mediated threats. The associated consequences are potentially severe, particularly in terms threats species preservation, as well preservation an array ecosystem services provided by biodiversity. Among affected groups animals insects—central components many ecosystems—for which climate change pervasive from individuals communities. In this contribution scientists' warning series, we summarize effect gradual global surface temperature increase insects, physiology, behavior, phenology, distribution, and interactions, increased frequency duration extreme events such hot cold spells, fires, droughts, floods these parameters. We warn that, if no action taken better understand reduce will drastically our ability build a sustainable future based healthy, functional ecosystems. discuss perspectives relevant ways conserve insects face change, offer several key recommendations management approaches that can adopted, policies should pursued, involvement general public protection effort.

Language: Английский

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Pervasive phosphorus limitation of tree species but not communities in tropical forests

Nature, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 555(7696), P. 367 - 370

Published: March 7, 2018

Language: Английский

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