Macroecological processes drive spiritual ecosystem services obtained from giant trees

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Environmental Science
• Forestry

Background:

• Giant trees are culturally significant, often named and revered by local communities.
• These trees provide valuable spiritual ecosystem services, enhancing human well-being.
• The ecological drivers behind these spiritual services are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the factors influencing spiritual ecosystem services derived from giant trees.
• To elucidate the direct and indirect pathways through which ecological processes impact these services.

Main Methods:

• Utilized structural equation modeling (SEM).
• Analyzed a dataset of 38,994 giant trees across 237 species in Japan.
• Examined relationships between macroecological variables, tree properties, and spiritual services.

Main Results:

• Macroecological processes, specifically annual precipitation and temperature, were identified as key drivers.
• These climatic factors directly influence spiritual ecosystem services.
• Climatic factors also indirectly affect services through their impact on tree properties like size and age.

Conclusions:

• Macroecological processes are significant determinants of spiritual ecosystem services from giant trees.
• Tree characteristics such as size and age mediate the relationship between climate and spiritual services.
• Understanding these drivers is crucial for conserving both giant trees and the spiritual benefits they provide.