Carbon–Water Coupling in Forest Ecosystems Under Climate Change: Advances in Water Use Efficiency and Sustainability Perspectives

Xiongwei Liang (), Xue Cong, Baolong Du, Yongfu Ju, Yingning Wang and Dan Li ()
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Xiongwei Liang: Cold Region Wetland Ecology and Environment Research Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin University, Harbin 150086, China
Xue Cong: Cold Region Wetland Ecology and Environment Research Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin University, Harbin 150086, China
Baolong Du: Cold Region Wetland Ecology and Environment Research Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin University, Harbin 150086, China
Yongfu Ju: Cold Region Wetland Ecology and Environment Research Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin University, Harbin 150086, China
Yingning Wang: Cold Region Wetland Ecology and Environment Research Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin University, Harbin 150086, China
Dan Li: Heilongjiang Forestry and Grassland Survey Planning and Design Institute, Harbin 150086, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-25

Abstract: Climate change is reshaping how forests balance carbon uptake and water loss. This review aims to clarify how climate change alters forest carbon–water coupling. Using water-use efficiency (WUE) as a unifying lens, we synthesize mechanisms from leaves to ecosystems and evaluate evidence from studies screened in 2000–2025 spanning eddy covariance, tree-ring isotopes, remote sensing and models. Globally, tree-ring data indicate ~40% intrinsic WUE increases since 1901, yet ecosystem-scale gains are usually <20% after accounting for mesophyll conductance. Under drought, heat and high vapor-pressure deficit, photosynthesis declines more than evapotranspiration, producing partial carbon–water decoupling and lower WUE e . Responses vary with hydraulic traits, forest type/age and site water balance, with notable tropical data gaps. We identify when WUE gains translate into true resilience: stomatal regulation and canopy structure jointly maintain GPP, prevent hydraulic failure and ensure post-event recovery. Management options include thinning, species/provenance choice, mixed stands and adaptive rotations to balance carbon storage with water yield. Key uncertainties stem from sparse long-term observations, tropical satellite biases and models that overestimate WUE or underplay extremes. We recommend integrating multi-source, multi-scale data with interpretable hybrid models, expanding tropical networks and strengthening MRV frameworks to support risk-aware, climate-smart forestry.

Keywords: ecohydrology; ecosystem resilience; carbon–water decoupling; MRV; climate-smart forestry (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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