Drivers and mechanisms of tree mortality in moist tropical forests

Nate G. McDowell; Craig D. Allen; Kristina Anderson‐Teixeira; Paulo M. Brando; Roel Brienen; Jeff Chambers; Brad Christoffersen; Stuart J. Davies; Chris Doughty; Alvaro Duque; Fernando Espirito-Santo; Rosie A. Fisher; Clarissa G. Fontes; David Galbraith; Devin Goodsman; Charlotte Grossiord; Henrik Hartmann; Jennifer Holm; Daniel J. Johnson; Abd. Rahman Kassim; Michael Keller; Charles Koven; Lara Kueppers; Tomo'omi Kumagai; Yadvinder Malhi; Sean M. McMahon; Maurizio Mencuccini; Patrick Meir; Paul R. Moorcroft; Helene C. Muller-Landau; Oliver L. Phillips; Thomas M. Powell; Carlos A. Sierra; John Sperry; Jeff Warren; Chonggang Xu; Xiangtao Xu

doi:10.1111/nph.15027

Drivers and mechanisms of tree mortality in moist tropical forests

New Phytologist

By: Nate G. McDowell, Craig D. Allen, Kristina Anderson‐Teixeira, Paulo M. Brando, Roel Brienen, Jeff Chambers, Brad Christoffersen, Stuart J. Davies, Chris Doughty, Alvaro Duque, Fernando Espirito-Santo, Rosie A. Fisher, Clarissa G. Fontes, David Galbraith, Devin Goodsman, Charlotte Grossiord, Henrik Hartmann, Jennifer Holm, Daniel J. Johnson, Abd. Rahman Kassim, Michael Keller, Charles Koven, Lara Kueppers, Tomo'omi Kumagai, Yadvinder Malhi, Sean M. McMahon, Maurizio Mencuccini, Patrick Meir, Paul R. Moorcroft, Helene C. Muller-Landau, Oliver L. Phillips, Thomas M. Powell, Carlos A. Sierra, John Sperry, Jeff Warren, Chonggang Xu, and Xiangtao Xu

https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.15027

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Abstract

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.

Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Drivers and mechanisms of tree mortality in moist tropical forests
Series title	New Phytologist
DOI	10.1111/nph.15027
Volume	219
Issue	3
Year Published	2018
Language	English
Publisher	New Phytologist Trust
Contributing office(s)	Fort Collins Science Center
Description	19 p.
First page	851
Last page	869
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page