Vegetation–microclimate feedbacks in woodland–grassland ecotones
Abstract Aim Climatic conditions exert a strong control on the geographic distribution of many woodland‐to‐grassland transition zones (or ‘tree lines’). Because woody plants have, in general, a weaker cold tolerance than herbaceous vegetation, their altitudinal or latitudinal limits are strongly con...
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crwiley:10.1111/geb.12000 2024-09-15T18:02:23+00:00 Vegetation–microclimate feedbacks in woodland–grassland ecotones D'Odorico, Paolo He, Yufei Collins, Scott De Wekker, Stephan F. J. Engel, Vic Fuentes, Jose D. 2012 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/geb.12000 https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fgeb.12000 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/geb.12000 en eng Wiley http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor Global Ecology and Biogeography volume 22, issue 4, page 364-379 ISSN 1466-822X 1466-8238 journal-article 2012 crwiley https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12000 2024-08-27T04:30:53Z Abstract Aim Climatic conditions exert a strong control on the geographic distribution of many woodland‐to‐grassland transition zones (or ‘tree lines’). Because woody plants have, in general, a weaker cold tolerance than herbaceous vegetation, their altitudinal or latitudinal limits are strongly controlled by cold sensitivity. While temperature controls on the dynamics of woodland–grassland ecotones are relatively well established, the ability of woody plants to modify their microclimate and to create habitat for seedling establishment and growth may involve a variety of processes that are still not completely understood. Here we investigate feedbacks between vegetation and microclimatic conditions in the proximity to woodland–grassland ecotones. Location We concentrate on arctic and alpine tree lines, the transition between mangrove forests and salt marshes in coastal ecosystems, and the shift from shrubland to grassland along temperature gradients in arid landscapes. Methods We review the major abiotic and biotic mechanisms underlying the ability of woody plants to alter the nocturnal microclimate by increasing the temperatures they are exposed to. Results We find that in many arctic, alpine, desert and coastal landscapes the presence of trees or shrubs causes nocturnal warming thereby favouring the establishment and survival of woody plants. Main conclusion Because of this feedback, trees and shrubs may establish in areas that would be otherwise unsuitable for their survival. Thus, in grassland–woodland transition zones both vegetation covers may be (alternative) stable states of the landscape, thereby affecting the way tree lines may migrate in response to regional and global climate change. Article in Journal/Newspaper Climate change Wiley Online Library Global Ecology and Biogeography 22 4 364 379 |
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English |
description |
Abstract Aim Climatic conditions exert a strong control on the geographic distribution of many woodland‐to‐grassland transition zones (or ‘tree lines’). Because woody plants have, in general, a weaker cold tolerance than herbaceous vegetation, their altitudinal or latitudinal limits are strongly controlled by cold sensitivity. While temperature controls on the dynamics of woodland–grassland ecotones are relatively well established, the ability of woody plants to modify their microclimate and to create habitat for seedling establishment and growth may involve a variety of processes that are still not completely understood. Here we investigate feedbacks between vegetation and microclimatic conditions in the proximity to woodland–grassland ecotones. Location We concentrate on arctic and alpine tree lines, the transition between mangrove forests and salt marshes in coastal ecosystems, and the shift from shrubland to grassland along temperature gradients in arid landscapes. Methods We review the major abiotic and biotic mechanisms underlying the ability of woody plants to alter the nocturnal microclimate by increasing the temperatures they are exposed to. Results We find that in many arctic, alpine, desert and coastal landscapes the presence of trees or shrubs causes nocturnal warming thereby favouring the establishment and survival of woody plants. Main conclusion Because of this feedback, trees and shrubs may establish in areas that would be otherwise unsuitable for their survival. Thus, in grassland–woodland transition zones both vegetation covers may be (alternative) stable states of the landscape, thereby affecting the way tree lines may migrate in response to regional and global climate change. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
D'Odorico, Paolo He, Yufei Collins, Scott De Wekker, Stephan F. J. Engel, Vic Fuentes, Jose D. |
spellingShingle |
D'Odorico, Paolo He, Yufei Collins, Scott De Wekker, Stephan F. J. Engel, Vic Fuentes, Jose D. Vegetation–microclimate feedbacks in woodland–grassland ecotones |
author_facet |
D'Odorico, Paolo He, Yufei Collins, Scott De Wekker, Stephan F. J. Engel, Vic Fuentes, Jose D. |
author_sort |
D'Odorico, Paolo |
title |
Vegetation–microclimate feedbacks in woodland–grassland ecotones |
title_short |
Vegetation–microclimate feedbacks in woodland–grassland ecotones |
title_full |
Vegetation–microclimate feedbacks in woodland–grassland ecotones |
title_fullStr |
Vegetation–microclimate feedbacks in woodland–grassland ecotones |
title_full_unstemmed |
Vegetation–microclimate feedbacks in woodland–grassland ecotones |
title_sort |
vegetation–microclimate feedbacks in woodland–grassland ecotones |
publisher |
Wiley |
publishDate |
2012 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/geb.12000 https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fgeb.12000 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/geb.12000 |
genre |
Climate change |
genre_facet |
Climate change |
op_source |
Global Ecology and Biogeography volume 22, issue 4, page 364-379 ISSN 1466-822X 1466-8238 |
op_rights |
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12000 |
container_title |
Global Ecology and Biogeography |
container_volume |
22 |
container_issue |
4 |
container_start_page |
364 |
op_container_end_page |
379 |
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1810439848772763648 |