Abstract
Forest dieback caused by drought-induced tree mortality has been observed world-wide. Forecasting which trees in which locations are vulnerable to drought-induced mortality is important to predict the consequences of drought on forest structure, biodiversity and ecosystem function. In this paper, our central aim was to compile a synthesis of tree traits and associated abiotic variables that can be used to predict drought-induced mortality. We reviewed the literature that specifically links drought mortality to functional traits and site conditions (i.e. edaphic variables and biotic conditions), targeting studies that show clear use of tree traits in drought analysis. We separated the review into five climatic zones to determine global vs. regionally restricted relationships between traits and mortality. Our synthesis identifies a number of traits that have clear relationships with drought-induced mortality (e.g. wood density at the species level and tree size and growth at the individual level). However, the lack of direct relationships between most traits and drought-induced mortality highlights areas where future research should focus to broaden our understanding. Synthesis and applications. Our synthesis highlights established relationships between traits and drought-induced mortality, presents knowledge gaps for future research focus and suggests monitoring and research avenues for improving our understanding of drought-induced mortality. It is intended to assist ecologists and natural resource managers choose appropriate and measurable parameters for predicting local and regional scale tree mortality risk in different climatic zones within constraints of time and funding availability.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 1669-1686 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Journal of Applied Ecology |
| Volume | 54 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 2017 |
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A synthesis of tree functional traits related to drought-induced mortality in forests across climatic zones. / O'Brien, Michael J.; Engelbrecht, Bettina M.J.; Joswig, Julia; Pereyra, Gabriela; Schuldt, Bernhard; Jansen, Steven; Kattge, Jens; Landhäusser, Simon M.; Levick, Shaun R.; Preisler, Yakir; Väänänen, Päivi; Macinnis-Ng, Cate.
In: Journal of Applied Ecology, Vol. 54, No. 6, 12.2017, p. 1669-1686.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - A synthesis of tree functional traits related to drought-induced mortality in forests across climatic zones
AU - O'Brien,Michael J.
AU - Engelbrecht,Bettina M.J.
AU - Joswig,Julia
AU - Pereyra,Gabriela
AU - Schuldt,Bernhard
AU - Jansen,Steven
AU - Kattge,Jens
AU - Landhäusser,Simon M.
AU - Levick,Shaun R.
AU - Preisler,Yakir
AU - Väänänen,Päivi
AU - Macinnis-Ng,Cate
PY - 2017/12
Y1 - 2017/12
N2 - Forest dieback caused by drought-induced tree mortality has been observed world-wide. Forecasting which trees in which locations are vulnerable to drought-induced mortality is important to predict the consequences of drought on forest structure, biodiversity and ecosystem function. In this paper, our central aim was to compile a synthesis of tree traits and associated abiotic variables that can be used to predict drought-induced mortality. We reviewed the literature that specifically links drought mortality to functional traits and site conditions (i.e. edaphic variables and biotic conditions), targeting studies that show clear use of tree traits in drought analysis. We separated the review into five climatic zones to determine global vs. regionally restricted relationships between traits and mortality. Our synthesis identifies a number of traits that have clear relationships with drought-induced mortality (e.g. wood density at the species level and tree size and growth at the individual level). However, the lack of direct relationships between most traits and drought-induced mortality highlights areas where future research should focus to broaden our understanding. Synthesis and applications. Our synthesis highlights established relationships between traits and drought-induced mortality, presents knowledge gaps for future research focus and suggests monitoring and research avenues for improving our understanding of drought-induced mortality. It is intended to assist ecologists and natural resource managers choose appropriate and measurable parameters for predicting local and regional scale tree mortality risk in different climatic zones within constraints of time and funding availability.
AB - Forest dieback caused by drought-induced tree mortality has been observed world-wide. Forecasting which trees in which locations are vulnerable to drought-induced mortality is important to predict the consequences of drought on forest structure, biodiversity and ecosystem function. In this paper, our central aim was to compile a synthesis of tree traits and associated abiotic variables that can be used to predict drought-induced mortality. We reviewed the literature that specifically links drought mortality to functional traits and site conditions (i.e. edaphic variables and biotic conditions), targeting studies that show clear use of tree traits in drought analysis. We separated the review into five climatic zones to determine global vs. regionally restricted relationships between traits and mortality. Our synthesis identifies a number of traits that have clear relationships with drought-induced mortality (e.g. wood density at the species level and tree size and growth at the individual level). However, the lack of direct relationships between most traits and drought-induced mortality highlights areas where future research should focus to broaden our understanding. Synthesis and applications. Our synthesis highlights established relationships between traits and drought-induced mortality, presents knowledge gaps for future research focus and suggests monitoring and research avenues for improving our understanding of drought-induced mortality. It is intended to assist ecologists and natural resource managers choose appropriate and measurable parameters for predicting local and regional scale tree mortality risk in different climatic zones within constraints of time and funding availability.
KW - Climate change
KW - Drought-induced mortality
KW - Forest dieback
KW - Forested climatic zones
KW - Plant functional traits
KW - Plant-climate interactions
KW - Research gaps
KW - Water deficit
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85013414301&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/1365-2664.12874
DO - 10.1111/1365-2664.12874
M3 - Article
VL - 54
SP - 1669
EP - 1686
JO - Journal of Applied Ecology
T2 - Journal of Applied Ecology
JF - Journal of Applied Ecology
SN - 0021-8901
IS - 6
ER -