Rights statement: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: McDowell, N. , Allen, C. D., Anderson‐Teixeira, K. , Brando, P. , Brienen, R. , Chambers, J. , Christoffersen, B. , Davies, S. , Doughty, C. , Duque, A. , Espirito‐Santo, F. , Fisher, R. , Fontes, C. G., Galbraith, D. , Goodsman, D. , Grossiord, C. , Hartmann, H. , Holm, J. , Johnson, D. J., Kassim, A. R., Keller, M. , Koven, C. , Kueppers, L. , Kumagai, T. , Malhi, Y. , McMahon, S. M., Mencuccini, M. , Meir, P. , Moorcroft, P. , Muller‐Landau, H. C., Phillips, O. L., Powell, T. , Sierra, C. A., Sperry, J. , Warren, J. , Xu, C. and Xu, X. (2018), Drivers and mechanisms of tree mortality in moist tropical forests. New Phytol, 219: 851-869. doi:10.1111/nph.15027 which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.15027/abstract This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
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Final published version
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Drivers and mechanisms of tree mortality in moist tropical forests
AU - McDowell, Nate
AU - Allen, Craig D.
AU - Espirito-Santo, Fernando
N1 - This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: McDowell, N. , Allen, C. D., Anderson‐Teixeira, K. , Brando, P. , Brienen, R. , Chambers, J. , Christoffersen, B. , Davies, S. , Doughty, C. , Duque, A. , Espirito‐Santo, F. , Fisher, R. , Fontes, C. G., Galbraith, D. , Goodsman, D. , Grossiord, C. , Hartmann, H. , Holm, J. , Johnson, D. J., Kassim, A. R., Keller, M. , Koven, C. , Kueppers, L. , Kumagai, T. , Malhi, Y. , McMahon, S. M., Mencuccini, M. , Meir, P. , Moorcroft, P. , Muller‐Landau, H. C., Phillips, O. L., Powell, T. , Sierra, C. A., Sperry, J. , Warren, J. , Xu, C. and Xu, X. (2018), Drivers and mechanisms of tree mortality in moist tropical forests. New Phytol, 219: 851-869. doi:10.1111/nph.15027 which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.15027/abstract This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
PY - 2018/8
Y1 - 2018/8
N2 - Tree mortality rates appear to be increasing in moist tropical forests (MTFs) with significant carbon cycle consequences. Here, we review the state of knowledge regarding MTF tree mortality, create a conceptual framework with testable hypotheses regarding the drivers, mechanisms and interactions that may underlie increasing MTF mortality rates, and identify the next steps for improved understanding and reduced prediction. Increasing mortality rates are associated with rising temperature and vapor pressure deficit, liana abundance, drought, wind events, fire and, possibly, CO2 fertilization-induced increases in stand thinning or acceleration of trees reaching larger, more vulnerable heights. The majority of these mortality drivers may kill trees in part through carbon starvation and hydraulic failure. The relative importance of each driver is unknown. High species diversity may buffer MTFs against large-scale mortality events, but recent and expected trends in mortality drivers give reason for concern regarding increasing mortality within MTFs. Models of tropical tree mortality are advancing the representation of hydraulics, carbon and demography, but require more empirical knowledge regarding the most common drivers and their subsequent mechanisms. We outline critical datasets and model developments required to test hypotheses regarding the underlying causes of increasing MTF mortality rates, and improve prediction of future mortality under climate change.
AB - Tree mortality rates appear to be increasing in moist tropical forests (MTFs) with significant carbon cycle consequences. Here, we review the state of knowledge regarding MTF tree mortality, create a conceptual framework with testable hypotheses regarding the drivers, mechanisms and interactions that may underlie increasing MTF mortality rates, and identify the next steps for improved understanding and reduced prediction. Increasing mortality rates are associated with rising temperature and vapor pressure deficit, liana abundance, drought, wind events, fire and, possibly, CO2 fertilization-induced increases in stand thinning or acceleration of trees reaching larger, more vulnerable heights. The majority of these mortality drivers may kill trees in part through carbon starvation and hydraulic failure. The relative importance of each driver is unknown. High species diversity may buffer MTFs against large-scale mortality events, but recent and expected trends in mortality drivers give reason for concern regarding increasing mortality within MTFs. Models of tropical tree mortality are advancing the representation of hydraulics, carbon and demography, but require more empirical knowledge regarding the most common drivers and their subsequent mechanisms. We outline critical datasets and model developments required to test hypotheses regarding the underlying causes of increasing MTF mortality rates, and improve prediction of future mortality under climate change.
KW - amazon
KW - drouths
KW - tropical forests
KW - ecology
KW - remote sensing
KW - modeling
U2 - 10.1111/nph.15027
DO - 10.1111/nph.15027
M3 - Journal article
VL - 219
SP - 851
EP - 869
JO - New Phytologist
JF - New Phytologist
SN - 0028-646X
IS - 3
ER -