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The global biogeography of tree leaf form and habit

Ma, Haozhi; Crowther, Thomas W.; Crowther, Thomas W.; Mo, Lidong; Maynard, Daniel S.; Renner, Susanne S.; van den Hoogen, Johan; Zou, Yibiao; Liang, Jingjing; de-Miguel, Sergio; Nabuurs, Gert-Jan; Reich, Peter B.; Niinemets, Ülo; Abegg, Meinrad; Adou Yao, Yves C.; Alberti, Giorgio; Almeyda Zambrano, Angelica M.; Alvarado, Braulio Vilchez; Alvarez-Dávila, Esteban; ... mehr

Abstract:

Understanding what controls global leaf type variation in trees is crucial for comprehending their role in terrestrial ecosystems, including carbon, water and nutrient dynamics. Yet our understanding of the factors influencing forest leaf types remains incomplete, leaving us uncertain about the global proportions of needle-leaved, broadleaved, evergreen and deciduous trees. To address these gaps, we conducted a global, ground-sourced assessment of forest leaf-type variation by integrating forest inventory data with comprehensive leaf form (broadleaf vs needle-leaf) and habit (evergreen vs deciduous) records. We found that global variation in leaf habit is primarily driven by isothermality and soil characteristics, while leaf form is predominantly driven by temperature. Given these relationships, we estimate that 38% of global tree individuals are needle-leaved evergreen, 29% are broadleaved evergreen, 27% are broadleaved deciduous and 5% are needle-leaved deciduous. The aboveground biomass distribution among these tree types is approximately 21% (126.4 Gt), 54% (335.7 Gt), 22% (136.2 Gt) and 3% (18.7 Gt), respectively. We further project that, depending on future emissions pathways, 17–34% of forested areas will experience climate conditions by the end of the century that currently support a different forest type, highlighting the intensification of climatic stress on existing forests. ... mehr


Verlagsausgabe §
DOI: 10.5445/IR/1000163924
Veröffentlicht am 13.11.2023
Originalveröffentlichung
DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01543-5
Scopus
Zitationen: 3
Dimensions
Zitationen: 6
Cover der Publikation
Zugehörige Institution(en) am KIT Institut für Geographie und Geoökologie (IFGG)
Publikationstyp Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Publikationsjahr 2023
Sprache Englisch
Identifikator ISSN: 2055-0278, 2055-026X
KITopen-ID: 1000163924
Erschienen in Nature Plants
Verlag Nature Research
Vorab online veröffentlicht am 23.10.2023
Nachgewiesen in Dimensions
Web of Science
Scopus
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