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Topography-driven microclimate gradients shape forest structure, diversity, and composition in a temperate

Bailey H McNichol1, Ran Wang2, Amanda Hefner3

  • 1School of Biological Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln Nebraska USA.

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|June 12, 2024
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Summary

Topography creates microclimate refugia for forests, influencing tree diversity and structure. These fine-scale variations buffer against unfavorable macroclimate, supporting plant persistence in changing environments.

Keywords:
climate‐change refugiaecotoneforest biomemicroclimaterefugial foresttopographic gradientwater availability

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Forest Science
  • Climate Change Biology

Background:

  • Macroclimate dictates vegetation patterns, but microclimates created by topography can offer refuge for plants.
  • Quantitative data on how topography influences microclimate, forest structure, diversity, and composition is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantitatively describe topography-driven microclimatic variation and its effects on forest ecosystems.
  • To test if topography and forest overstory buffer microclimate and influence forest structure, diversity, and composition.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted a 20.2-ha forest inventory in the Great Plains, measuring woody stems (≥1 cm diameter).
  • Collected detailed topographic and microclimatic data across an elevation gradient.
  • Analyzed relationships between topography, microclimate, and forest characteristics.

Main Results:

  • A sharp desiccation gradient was observed along the elevation gradient, driven by topography-induced microclimate variation.
  • Topography and forest overstory effectively buffered understory microclimates.
  • Microclimatic variation magnitude mirrored regional gradients; higher diversity and complex structure were found in moister, sheltered areas.

Conclusions:

  • Topographic and microclimatic gradients significantly structure forest ecosystems, creating potential climate-change refugia.
  • Ecological processes driven by microclimate variation enable forest persistence under unfavorable macroclimates.
  • Species exhibit distinct topographic niches, highlighting the importance of fine-scale habitat heterogeneity.