Ecological mechanisms underlying aridity thresholds in global drylands

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 36(1), P. 4 - 23

Published: Oct. 30, 2021

Abstract With ongoing climate change, the probability of crossing environmental thresholds promoting abrupt changes in ecosystem structure and functioning is higher than ever. In drylands (areas where it rains <65% what could be potentially evaporated), recent research has shown how three aridity [at (1‐Aridity Index) values 0.54, 0.70 0.80] leads to on structural functional attributes. Despite importance these findings their implications develop effective monitoring adaptation actions combat change desertification, we lack a proper understanding mechanisms unleashing shifts. Here review multiple that may explain existence observed across global drylands, discuss potential amplification underpin hypothetical temporal shifts with change. We propose each threshold caused by different specific mechanisms. The first mainly physiological plant water shortages. second unleashed involving soil processes plant–soil interactions such as erosion, community nutrient cycling circulation. collapse vegetation once third (0.8) crossed related survival limits plants cause sudden cover diversity losses plant–atmospheric feedbacks link further aridification. By identifying, revising linking relevant observed, provide set hypotheses identify knowledge gaps concerning study emergence drylands. were also able establish plausible factors are context dependent influence occurrence time. Our help focus future efforts strategies monitor, adapt or even revert A free Plain Language Summary can found within Supporting Information this article.

Language: Английский

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Effects of drought and climate factors on vegetation dynamics in Central Asia from 1982 to 2020

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 328, P. 116997 - 116997

Published: Dec. 12, 2022

Language: Английский

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Plant-groundwater interactions in drylands: A review of current research and future perspectives

Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 341, P. 109636 - 109636

Published: Aug. 7, 2023

Language: Английский

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Warming effects on C:N:P stoichiometry and nutrient limitation in terrestrial ecosystems

Soil and Tillage Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 235, P. 105896 - 105896

Published: Sept. 11, 2023

Language: Английский

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Nutritional changes in trees during drought‐induced mortality: A comprehensive meta‐analysis and a field study

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Both macronutrients and micronutrients are essential for tree growth development through participating in various ecophysiological processes. However, the impact of nutritional status trees on their ability to withstand drought‐induced mortality remains inconclusive. We thus conducted a comprehensive meta‐analysis, compiling data 11 nutrients from 44 publications (493 independent observations). Additionally, field study was Pinus sylvestris L. with varying vitality loss “Visp” forest southern Switzerland. No consistent decline observed during mortality. The meta‐analysis revealed significantly lower leaf potassium (K), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) concentrations showed no causal relationships between levels trees. This discrepancy is mainly attributed intrinsic differences two types experimental designs ontogenetic stages target Nutrient reductions preceding were predominantly non‐field conditions, where seedlings saplings underdeveloped root systems. It limits nutrient uptake capacity these young drought. Furthermore, responses also influenced by many variables. Specifically, (a) more susceptible drought stress than other organs; (b) reduced prevalent evergreen species mortality; (c) all biomes, Mediterranean forests most vulnerable deficiencies; (d) soil affect direction extent responses. identified factors that influence relationship survival, proposed potential early‐warning indicators impending mortality, example, decreased K declining vitality. These findings contribute our understanding provide practical implications management strategies context global change.

Language: Английский

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Toward a common methodological framework for the sampling, extraction, and isotopic analysis of water in the Critical Zone to study vegetation water use

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Water, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(4)

Published: March 5, 2024

Abstract The analysis of the stable isotopic composition hydrogen and oxygen in water samples from soils plants can help to identify sources vegetation uptake. This approach requires that heterogeneous nature plant soil matrices is carefully accounted for during experimental design, sample collection, extraction analyses. comparability shortcomings different methods extracting analyzing have been discussed specialized literature. Yet, despite insightful comparisons benchmarking methodologies laboratories worldwide, community still lacks a roadmap guide extraction, analyses, many practical issues potential users remain unresolved: example, which (soil or plant) pool(s) does extracted represent? These constitute hurdle implementation by newcomers. Here, we summarize discussions led framework COST Action WATSON (“WATer isotopeS critical zONe: groundwater recharge transpiration”—CA19120). We provide guidelines (1) sampling material analysis, (2) laboratory situ (3) measurements composition. highlight importance considering process chain as whole, design minimize biased estimates relative contribution conclude acknowledging some limitations this methodology advice on collection key environmental parameters prior article categorized under: Science Water > Hydrological Processes Environmental Change Extremes

Language: Английский

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Photovoltaic systems promote grassland restoration by coordinating water and nutrient uptake, transport and utilization

Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 447, P. 141437 - 141437

Published: Feb. 23, 2024

Language: Английский

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Lower relative abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungi under a warmer and drier climate is linked to enhanced soil organic matter decomposition

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 232(3), P. 1399 - 1413

Published: Aug. 3, 2021

The aboveground impacts of climate change receive extensive research attention, but could also alter belowground processes such as the delicate balance between free-living fungal decomposers and nutrient-scavenging mycorrhizal fungi that can inhibit decomposition through a mechanism called Gadgil effect. We investigated how change-induced reductions in plant survival, photosynthesis productivity soil community composition mixed arbuscular/ectomycorrhizal (AM/EM) semiarid shrubland exposed to experimental warming (W) and/or rainfall reduction (RR). hypothesised increased EM host mortality under warmer drier might decrease ectomycorrhizal (EMF) abundance, thereby favouring proliferation activity saprotrophs. relative abundance EMF sequences decreased by 57.5% W+RR, which was accompanied hydrolytic enzymes involved acquisition organic-bound nutrients their plants. W+RR created an enhanced potential for organic matter (SOM) breakdown nitrogen mineralisation decomposers, revealed 127-190% increases dissolved carbon nitrogen, respectively, decreasing SOM content soil. Climate aridification on vegetation cascade shifts guild structure ecosystem biogeochemistry accelerate reducing

Language: Английский

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The role of nutritional impairment in carbon‐water balance of silver fir drought‐induced dieback

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 28(14), P. 4439 - 4458

Published: March 23, 2022

Rear-edge populations at the xeric distribution limit of tree species are particularly vulnerable to forest dieback triggered by drought. This is case silver fir (Abies alba) forests located in Southwestern Europe. While drought-induced patterns have been previously explored, information on role played nutritional impairment lacking despite its potential interactions with carbon-water balances. We performed a comparative analysis radial growth, intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE), oxygen isotopes (δ18 O) and nutrient concentrations leaves declining (DD) non-declining (ND) trees four Spanish Pyrenees. also evaluated relationships among predisposition, intraspecific trait variation (wood density leaf traits) rhizosphere soil physical-chemical properties. The onset growth decline DD occurred more than two decades ago, they subsequently showed low resilience against droughts. presented consistently lower foliar nutrients such as P, K, Cu Ni ND trees. strong effects status indices support key mineral nutrition functioning before, during after In contrast, variability wood morphological traits, well properties, weak drought performance. At elevation, warmer sites, stronger climate-growth δ18 O uncoupling between iWUE O, together positive correlations P K point deeper soil/bedrock water sources vertical decoupling uptake study provides novel insights into mechanisms driving highlights need incorporate studies.Las poblaciones del límite xérico de distribución las especies árboles son particularmente vulnerables al decaimiento forestal inducido por sequía. Este es el caso los bosques abeto situados en suroeste Europa. Si bien patrones provocado sequía se han explorado previamente, falta información sobre papel que desempeña deterioro nutricional pesar sus interacciones potenciales con balances agua y carbono árboles. En este estudio, hemos realizado un análisis comparativo crecimiento radial, la eficiencia intrínseca uso isótopos oxígeno (δ18O) concentraciones nutrientes hojas decaídos no cuatro abetares Pirineos españoles. También evaluamos relaciones entre predisposición decaimiento, variación rasgos intraespecíficos (densidad madera hojas) propiedades físico-químicas rizosfera. El inicio disminución ocurrió hace más dos décadas posteriormente mostraron una baja resiliencia frente sequías. Los presentaron foliares consistentemente bajas como ND. fuertes efectos estado índices respaldan clave nutrición funcionamiento antes, durante después contraste, variabilidad densidad morfológicos hojas, así suelo, relación débil respuesta sitios cálidos elevación, clima-crecimiento bajo desacoplamiento junto correlaciones positivas apuntan fuentes profundas suelo/lecho rocoso absorción DD. estudio proporciona novedosa mecanismos impulsan destaca necesidad incorporar estudios muerte regresiva bosque.

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Coordination between water uptake depth and the leaf economic spectrum in a Mediterranean shrubland

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 110(8), P. 1844 - 1856

Published: May 6, 2022

Abstract Water is the most limiting resource for plant survival and growth in arid environments, but diversity of water‐use strategies among coexisting species dryland communities not well understood. There also growing interest assessing whether a whole‐plant coordination exists between traits related to leaf economic spectrum (LES). We used water stable isotopes (δ 2 H, δ 18 O) quantify uptake proportions from different soil depths by 24 Mediterranean shrubland. Leaf associated with efficiency, stomatal regulation 13 C, LES (SLA, N, P, K concentrations) were measured. assessed potential trade‐offs above‐mentioned traits, depth their relationship abundance. found distinct ecohydrological niche segregation species. Bayesian models showed that our shrubland median 37% shallow (0–30 cm) 63% deep (30–100 cm). Still, source varied considerably species, as ranged minimum 6.4% maximum 68%. Interspecific variability foliar carbon investment (SLA) nutrient concentrations was remarkably high, indicating diverse nutrient‐use along LES. O, C 15 N values differed widely revealing differences regulation, efficiency nitrogen acquisition mechanisms. After accounting evolutionary history effects, coordinated LES: using shallower fertile topsoil layers exhibited more acquisitive carbon‐ strategy, whereas deeper less linked conservative strategy. Leaf‐level significantly influenced abundance, water‐savers tight high dominant. Synthesis . Greater utilisation stored nutrient‐rich favoured pattern appeared constrain access nutrients. Our findings thus suggest largely inescapable trade‐off low‐fertility drylands.

Language: Английский

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