Forest microclimates and climate change: Importance, drivers and future research agenda

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 27(11), P. 2279 - 2297

Published: March 16, 2021

Abstract Forest microclimates contrast strongly with the climate outside forests. To fully understand and better predict how forests' biodiversity functions relate to change, need be integrated into ecological research. Despite potentially broad impact of on response forest ecosystems global our understanding within below tree canopies modulate biotic responses change at species, community ecosystem level is still limited. Here, we review spatial temporal variation in result from an interplay features, local water balance, topography landscape composition. We first stress exemplify importance considering across landscapes. Next, explain macroclimate warming (of free atmosphere) can affect microclimates, vice versa, via interactions land‐use changes different biomes. Finally, perform a priority ranking future research avenues interface microclimate ecology biology, specific focus three key themes: (1) disentangling abiotic drivers feedbacks microclimates; (2) regional mapping predictions (3) impacts functioning face change. The availability microclimatic data will significantly increase coming decades, characterizing variability unprecedented scales relevant biological processes This revolutionize dynamics, implications functions, changes. In order support sustainable use forests secure their services for generations, cannot ignored.

Language: Английский

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Forest microclimate dynamics drive plant responses to warming

Science, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 368(6492), P. 772 - 775

Published: May 14, 2020

Local factors restrain forest warming Microclimates are key to understanding how organisms and ecosystems respond macroclimate change, yet they frequently neglected when studying biotic responses global change. Zellweger et al. provide a long-term, continental-scale assessment of the effects micro- on community composition European forests (see Perspective by Lembrechts Nijs). They show that changes in canopy cover fundamentally important for driving climate Closed canopies buffer against macroclimatic change through their cooling effect, slowing shifts composition, whereas open tend accelerate local heating effects. Science , this issue p. 772 ; see also 711

Language: Английский

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Unfolding the effects of different forestry treatments on microclimate in oak forests: results of a 4‐yr experiment

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 30(2)

Published: Nov. 23, 2019

Abstract A stable below‐canopy microclimate of forests is essential for their biodiversity and ecosystem functionality. Forest management necessarily modifies the buffering capacity woodlands. However, specific effects different forestry treatments on site conditions, temporal recovery after harvests, reason contrasts between are still poorly understood. The four (clear‐cutting, retention tree group, preparation cutting, gap‐cutting) microclimatic variables were studied within a field experiment in managed oak‐dominated stand Hungary, before (2014) (2015–2017) interventions by complete block design with six replicates. From first post‐treatment year, clear‐cuts differed most from uncut control due to increased irradiance heat load. Means variability air soil temperature increased, became dryer along higher moisture levels. Retention groups could effectively ameliorate extreme temperatures but not mean values. Preparation cutting induced slight changes original buffered humid forest microclimate. Despite substantially more incoming light, gap‐cutting retain cool conditions showed highest increase interventions. For variables, we observe any obvious trend 3 yr. decreased time clear‐cuts, while difference continuously gap‐ clear‐cuts. Based multivariate analyses, separated significantly based mainly maxima variability. We found that (1) effect sizes among treatment levels consistent throughout years, (2) climatic appears be far than yr, (3) applied silvicultural methods diverged maxima. our study, spatially heterogeneous fine‐scaled continuous cover (gap‐cutting, selection systems) recommended. By applying these practices, structural elements creating successfully maintained. Thus, induce less pronounced alterations environmental forest‐dwelling organism groups.

Language: Английский

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Seasonal drivers of understorey temperature buffering in temperate deciduous forests across Europe

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 28(12), P. 1774 - 1786

Published: Aug. 22, 2019

Forest understorey microclimates are often buffered against extreme heat or cold, with important implications for the organisms living in these environments. We quantified seasonal effects of microclimate predictors describing canopy structure, composition and topography (i.e., local factors) forest patch size distance to coast landscape factors).Temperate forests Europe.2017-2018.Woody plants.We combined data from a sensor network weather-station records calculate difference, offset, between temperatures measured inside outside forests. used regression analysis study factors on offset minimum, mean maximum temperatures.The temperature during summer was average cooler by 2.1 °C than forests, minimum winter spring were 0.4 0.9 warmer. The cover strong nonlinear driver summer, we found increased cooling beneath tree species that cast deepest shade. Seasonal offsets mainly regulated topographic features, such as position.Forest experience less severe extremes suggested currently available macroclimate data; therefore, climate-species relationships responses anthropogenic global warming cannot be modelled accurately using alone. Changes will strongly modulate understories, understanding biodiversity functioning threats land-use change climate change. Our predictive models generally applicable across lowland temperate deciduous providing ecologically understories.

Language: Английский

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On the measurement of microclimate

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 12(8), P. 1397 - 1410

Published: May 14, 2021

Abstract Many organisms live in environments which temperatures differ substantially from those measured by standard weather stations. The last decade has witnessed a paradigm shift efforts to quantify these differences and understand their ecological, functional evolutionary implications. This renewed interest microclimate ecology been accompanied the development of various compact temperature sensors radiation shields. However, it is clear that there are many pitfalls when measuring using devices. Here we address problem microenvironments accurately. We first discuss theory surface, ground air with reference energy fluxes how modified material, reflective properties size device. highlight particular difficulties associated temperature. then report on results series experiments recorded commonly used loggers compared obtained research‐grade instruments synoptic While accurate measurements surface at night shaded can be relatively easily obtained, show substantial errors expected exposed sunlight. Most yield large errors, reach 25°C due radiative operating thermometer. cannot wholly overcome shielding thermometer sunlight, as shield itself will influence both being accuracy measurement. demonstrate reasonably estimates low‐cost unshielded ultrafine‐wire thermocouples possess low thermal emissivity highly surface. As processes create microclimatic variation same cause other logger types should care, generally avoided sunlight close where wind speeds lower. urge researchers interested microclimates effects pay greater heed physics heat exchange attempting measure trade‐offs exist doing so.

Language: Английский

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ForestTemp – Sub‐canopy microclimate temperatures of European forests

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 27(23), P. 6307 - 6319

Published: Oct. 3, 2021

Ecological research heavily relies on coarse-gridded climate data based standardized temperature measurements recorded at 2 m height in open landscapes. However, many organisms experience environmental conditions that differ substantially from those captured by these macroclimatic (i.e. free air) grids. In forests, the tree canopy functions as a thermal insulator and buffers sub-canopy microclimatic conditions, thereby affecting biological ecological processes. To improve assessment of climatic climate-change-related impacts forest-floor biodiversity functioning, high-resolution grids reflecting forest microclimates are thus urgently needed. Combining more than 1200 time series situ near-surface with topographical, variables machine learning model, we predicted mean monthly offset between 15 cm above surface free-air over period 2000-2020 spatial resolution 25 across Europe. This was used to evaluate difference microclimate macroclimate space seasons finally enabled us calculate annual temperatures for European understories. We found air temperatures, being average 2.1°C (standard deviation ± 1.6°C) lower summer 2.0°C higher (±0.7°C) winter Additionally, our maps expose considerable variation within landscapes, not gridded products. The provided will enable future model below-canopy processes patterns, well species distributions accurately.

Language: Английский

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Sensors for Digital Transformation in Smart Forestry

Sensors, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(3), P. 798 - 798

Published: Jan. 25, 2024

Smart forestry, an innovative approach leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), aims to enhance forest management while minimizing the environmental impact. The efficacy of AI in this domain is contingent upon availability extensive, high-quality data, underscoring pivotal role sensor-based data acquisition digital transformation forestry. However, complexity and challenging conditions environments often impede collection efforts. Achieving full potential smart forestry necessitates a comprehensive integration sensor technologies throughout process chain, ensuring production standardized, essential for applications. This paper highlights symbiotic relationship between human expertise particularly under conditions. We emphasize human-in-the-loop approach, which allows experts directly influence generation, enhancing adaptability effectiveness diverse scenarios. A critical aspect deployment autonomous robotic systems forests, functioning both as collectors processing hubs. These are instrumental facilitating generating substantial volumes quality data. present our universal platform, detailing experiences importance initial phase transformation—the generation comprehensive, selection appropriate sensors key factor process, findings underscore its significance advancing

Language: Английский

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There is plenty of room at the bottom: microclimates drive insect vulnerability to climate change

Current Opinion in Insect Science, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 41, P. 63 - 70

Published: July 16, 2020

Language: Английский

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Tropical forests are thermally buffered despite intensive selective logging

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 24(3), P. 1267 - 1278

Published: Oct. 20, 2017

Abstract Tropical rainforests are subject to extensive degradation by commercial selective logging. Despite pervasive changes forest structure, selectively logged forests represent vital refugia for global biodiversity. The ability of these buffer temperature‐sensitive species from climate warming will be an important determinant their future conservation value, although this topic remains largely unexplored. Thermal buffering potential is broadly determined by: (i) the difference between “macroclimate” (climate at a local scale, m ha) and “microclimate” fine‐scale, mm m, that distinct macroclimate); (ii) thermal stability microclimates (e.g. variation in daily temperatures); (iii) availability organisms. We compared metrics undisturbed primary intensively on Borneo, using images capture cool surface floor, information dataloggers placed inside deadwood, tree holes leaf litter. Although major differences structure remained 9–12 years after repeated logging, we found logging activity had very little effect buffering, terms macroclimate microclimate temperatures, overall microclimates. For 1°C macroclimate, temperature litter warmed slightly more than forest, but amounted <0.1°C types. therefore conclude similar subsequent retain under change. Selectively can play crucial role long‐term maintenance

Language: Английский

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Tree height and leaf drought tolerance traits shape growth responses across droughts in a temperate broadleaf forest

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 231(2), P. 601 - 616

Published: Oct. 13, 2020

As climate change drives increased drought in many forested regions, mechanistic understanding of the factors conferring tolerance trees is increasingly important. The dendrochronological record provides a window through which we can understand how tree size and traits shape growth responses to droughts. We analyzed tree-ring records for 12 species broadleaf deciduous forest Virginia (USA) test hypotheses height, microenvironment characteristics, species' shaped across three strongest regional droughts over 60-yr period. Drought (resistance, recovery, resilience) decreased with was strongly correlated exposure higher solar radiation evaporative demand. potentially greater rooting volume larger did not confer resistance advantage, but marginally recovery resilience, sites low topographic wetness index. among whose leaves lost turgor (wilted) at more negative water potentials experienced less shrinkage upon desiccation. reveals that height leaf influenced during after significant meteorological record. change-induced intensify, tall drought-sensitive will be most vulnerable immediate longer-term reductions.

Language: Английский

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