Differential tree mortality in response to severe drought: evidence for long-term vegetation shifts

1 Although drought frequency and severity are predicted to increase across numerous continental interiors, the consequences of these changes for dominant plants are largely unknown. Over the last decade, the south-western US has experienced six drought years, including the extreme droughts of 1996 and 2002, which led to widespread tree mortality across northern Arizona. 2 We examined the impact of these droughts on the co-dominant tree species of the pinyon?juniper woodland (Pinus edulis and Juniperus monosperma), a major vegetation type in the US. 3 Pinyon mortality following both droughts was 6.5-fold higher than juniper mortality. In addition, large pinyons suffered 2?6-fold greater mortality than small pinyons,...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation, Journal Citation; Tags: Journal of Ecology, Juniperus monosperma, Pinus edulis, climate change, differential mortality, All tags... drought, facilitation, Fewer tags