Enhanced growth after extreme wetness compensates for post-drought carbon loss in dry forests

Peng Jiang, Hongyan Liu (), Shilong Piao, Philippe Ciais, Xiuchen Wu, Yi Yin and Hongya Wang
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Peng Jiang: Peking University
Hongyan Liu: Peking University
Shilong Piao: Peking University
Philippe Ciais: IPSL—LSCE, CEA CNRS UVSQ UPSaclay, Centre d’Etudes Orme des Merisiers
Xiuchen Wu: Beijing Normal University
Yi Yin: California Institute of Technology
Hongya Wang: Peking University

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract While many studies have reported that drought events have substantial negative legacy effects on forest growth, it remains unclear whether wetness events conversely have positive growth legacy effects. Here, we report pervasive and substantial growth enhancement after extreme wetness by examining tree radial growth at 1929 forest sites, satellite-derived vegetation greenness, and land surface model simulations. Enhanced growth after extreme wetness lasts for 1 to 5 years and compensates for 93 ± 8% of the growth deficit after extreme drought across global water-limited regions. Remarkable wetness-enhanced growths are observed in dry forests and gymnosperms, whereas the enhanced growths after extreme wetness are much smaller in wet forests and angiosperms. Limited or no enhanced growths are simulated by the land surface models after extreme wetness. These findings provide new evidence for improving climate-vegetation models to include the legacy effects of both drought and wet climate extremes.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08229-z

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