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Simulating Impacts of Ice Storms on Forest Ecosystems
Published on: June 30, 2020
7.4K
Rainfall exclusion and thinning can alter the relationships between forest functioning and drought.
Jordane Gavinet1, Jean-Marc Ourcival1, Jean-Marc Limousin1
1CEFE CNRS, 1919 route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France.
The New Phytologist
|April 22, 2019
Summary
Climate change-induced drought impacts forest functions. Forest thinning can mitigate drought effects on above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP) and reduce ecosystem sensitivity to drought.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Forestry
- Climate Change Science
Background:
- Climate change is increasing drought frequency and intensity, impacting forest ecosystems.
- Forest management strategies, such as thinning, are employed to mitigate drought impacts.
- Understanding how drought affects forest functions is crucial for predicting future ecosystem responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of experimental drought and thinning on forest functions in a Mediterranean Quercus ilex stand.
- To analyze the relationships between drought intensity and above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP) components and stand transpiration.
- To assess how thinning modifies these drought-function relationships.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 15 years of data from a rainfall exclusion experiment (-27% rainfall) combined with thinning (-30% basal area).
- Measured above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP) components (leaf, acorn, wood production) and stand transpiration.
- Analyzed changes in drought-function relationships under experimental drought and thinning treatments.
Main Results:
- Rainfall exclusion reduced stand ANPP by 10%, primarily due to decreased leaf and acorn production; wood production was unaffected.
- Thinning increased wood and acorn production and decreased the sensitivity of standing wood biomass change to drought.
- Both rainfall exclusion and thinning reduced transpiration due to decreased leaf and sapwood area, altering the transpiration-drought relationship.
Conclusions:
- Historical drought-function relationships may predict future impacts on ANPP but not water fluxes.
- Forest thinning can effectively mitigate drought effects on ANPP and reduce overall forest sensitivity to drought.
- Management strategies like thinning are vital for maintaining forest resilience under changing climate conditions.
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