학술논문
Widespread synchronous decline of Mediterranean-type forest driven by accelerated aridity
Document Type
Original Paper
Author
Source
Nature Plants. 9(11):1810-1817
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2055-0278
Abstract
Large-scale, abrupt ecosystem change in direct response to climate extremes is a critical but poorly documented phenomenon1 . Yet, recent increases in climate-induced tree mortality raise concern that some forest ecosystems are on the brink of collapse across wide environmental gradients2,3 . Here we assessed climatic and productivity trends across the world’s five Mediterranean forest ecosystems from 2000 to 2021 and detected a large-scale, abrupt forest browning and productivity decline in Chile (>90% of the forest in <100 days), responding to a sustained, acute drought. The extreme dry and warm conditions in Chile, unprecedented in the recent history of all Mediterranean-type ecosystems, are akin to those projected to arise in the second half of the century4 . Long-term recovery of this forest is uncertain given an ongoing decline in regional water balance. This dramatic plummet of forest productivity may be a spyglass to the future for other Mediterranean ecosystems.
Large-scale and abrupt forest decline occurred in Central Chile in response to acute drought. The extreme conditions, unprecedented in the recent history of all Mediterranean-type ecosystems, are akin to those projected for the second half of the century.
Large-scale and abrupt forest decline occurred in Central Chile in response to acute drought. The extreme conditions, unprecedented in the recent history of all Mediterranean-type ecosystems, are akin to those projected for the second half of the century.