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Sequential droughts: A silent trigger of boreal forest mortality.

Martina Sánchez-Pinillos1,2, Loïc D'Orangeville2, Yan Boulanger3

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Summary

Frequent low-intensity droughts significantly impact boreal forest mortality, especially for shade-tolerant conifers. Managers must consider cumulative climate stress to prevent forest decline and habitat loss.

Keywords:
boreal forestclimate changecumulative stressdroughtecological thresholdsforest mortalitylong-term inventorypermanent plots

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Forestry
  • Climate Change Science

Background:

  • Boreal forests face drought-driven mortality, yet frequent low-intensity droughts are often overlooked due to short-term negligible impacts.
  • Understanding cumulative stress is crucial for long-term forest health and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effects of repeated low-intensity droughts on forest mortality across the Canadian boreal zone.
  • To compare the impact of frequent low-intensity droughts with drought intensity, stand characteristics, and local climate.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 6876 permanent plots across the Canadian boreal zone.
  • Analyzed the relative impact of sequential dry years versus drought intensity and stand/climate variables.
  • Investigated mortality thresholds related to the frequency of drought events.

Main Results:

  • Frequent low-intensity dry conditions had a greater impact on forest mortality than the intensity of the driest conditions.
  • Shade-tolerant conifer mortality was positively related to frequent low-intensity dry conditions, with some thresholds observed.
  • Drought effects varied: negligible in broadleaf mixtures, dependent on local climate in shade-intolerant forests.

Conclusions:

  • Repeated low-intensity droughts are significant drivers of boreal forest mortality, acting synergistically with stand and environmental factors.
  • Forest and wildlife managers need to account for cumulative climate change impacts to ensure sustainable timber resources and habitat availability.
  • Long-term forest responses to drought may involve abrupt shifts in mortality due to accumulated stress.