Accounting for landscape heterogeneity improves spatial predictions of tree vulnerability to drought

© 2018 The Authors New Phytologist © 2018 New Phytologist Trust.

Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:The New phytologist. - 1979. - 220(2018), 1 vom: 19. Okt., Seite 132-146
1. Verfasser: Schwantes, Amanda M (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Parolari, Anthony J, Swenson, Jennifer J, Johnson, Daniel M, Domec, Jean-Christophe, Jackson, Robert B, Pelak, Norman, Porporato, Amilcare
Format: Online-Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 2018
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:The New phytologist
Schlagworte:Journal Article climate change drought-induced tree mortality heat load landscape diversity soil moisture stochastic processes topographic convergence water stress Soil
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:© 2018 The Authors New Phytologist © 2018 New Phytologist Trust.
As climate change continues, forest vulnerability to droughts and heatwaves is increasing, but vulnerability varies regionally and locally through landscape position. Also, most models used in forecasting forest responses to heat and drought do not incorporate relevant spatial processes. In order to improve spatial predictions of tree vulnerability, we employed a nonlinear stochastic model of soil moisture dynamics accounting for landscape differences in aspect, topography and soils. Across a watershed in central Texas we modeled dynamic water stress for a dominant tree species, Juniperus ashei, and projected future dynamic water stress through the 21st century. Modeled dynamic water stress tracked spatial patterns of remotely sensed drought-induced canopy loss. Accuracy in predicting drought-impacted stands increased from 60%, accounting for spatially variable soil conditions, to 72% when also including lateral redistribution of water and radiation/temperature effects attributable to aspect. Our analysis also suggests that dynamic water stress will increase through the 21st century, with trees persisting at only selected microsites. Favorable microsites/refugia may exist across a landscape where trees can persist; however, if future droughts are too severe, the buffering capacity of an heterogeneous landscape could be overwhelmed. Incorporating spatial data will improve projections of future tree water stress and identification of potential resilient refugia
Beschreibung:Date Completed 01.10.2019
Date Revised 30.09.2020
published: Print-Electronic
Citation Status MEDLINE
ISSN:1469-8137
DOI:10.1111/nph.15274