Forest trajectories after drought

A study uncovers various pathways for forests to recover from drought-related tree mortality. The vulnerability of forests to drought-induced tree mortality is expected to rise in a changing climate, but the characteristics of the vegetation that arises following mortality are unknown. Enric Batllori, Francisco Lloret, and colleagues examined 131 sites across multiple biomes that experienced drought-related tree mortality 1-23 years prior to the study to determine the tree and shrub species that replaced affected forests. In 21% of the sites, the tree species dominant before drought remained dominant after drought, and in 10% of the sites forests and woodlands shifted to nonwoody vegetation. Relatively wet postdrought conditions favored less pronounced ecosystem changes than dry conditions. Conversion of trees to shrubs frequently occurred in sites where tree pathogens were a cofactor in tree mortality. Although forests generally shifted after drought to species that require little water, some forests were replaced with species with similar water needs than former dominants, and multiple paths of ecosystem replacement were observed. Multiple factors, including drought characteristics, species environmental preferences, and plant traits, influenced the postdrought ecological trajectories of forests. According to the authors, increases in drought-related forest mortality may carry far-reaching implications for biodiversity and ecosystem services.

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Article #20-02314:


“Forest and woodland replacement patterns following drought-related mortality,” by Enric Batllori et al.

MEDIA CONTACTS:


Enric Batllori

Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals

Barcelona, SPAIN

e-mail:

[email protected]

Francisco Lloret

Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals

Barcelona, SPAIN

e-mail:

[email protected]