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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The response of tropical rainforests to drought-lessons from recent research and future prospects

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Author(s):
Bonal, Damien [1] ; Burban, Benoit [2] ; Stahl, Clement [2, 3] ; Wagner, Fabien [4] ; Herault, Bruno [2]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Lorraine, INRA, UMR Ecol & Ecophysiol Forestieres, F-54280 Champenoux - France
[2] Univ Antilles, Univ Guyane, UMR Ecol Forets Guyane, INRA, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, Campus Agronomique, Kourou 97387 - French Guiana
[3] Univ Antwerp, Campus Agron, Kourou 97387 - French Guiana
[4] Natl Inst Space Res INPE, BR-12227010 Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: ANNALS OF FOREST SCIENCE; v. 73, n. 1, p. 27-44, MAR 2016.
Web of Science Citations: 46
Abstract

Key message We review the recent findings on the influence of drought on tree mortality, growth or ecosystem functioning in tropical rainforests. Drought plays a major role in shaping tropical rainforests and the response mechanisms are highly diverse and complex. The numerous gaps identified here require the international scientific community to combine efforts in order to conduct comprehensive studies in tropical rainforests on the three continents. These results are essential to simulate the future of these ecosystems under diverse climate scenarios and to predict the future of the global earth carbon balance. Context Tropical rainforest ecosystems are characterized by high annual rainfall. Nevertheless, rainfall regularly fluctuates during the year and seasonal soil droughts do occur. Over the past decades, a number of extreme droughts have hit tropical rainforests, not only in Amazonia but also in Asia and Africa. The influence of drought events on tree mortality and growth or on ecosystem functioning (carbon and water fluxes) in tropical rainforest ecosystems has been studied intensively, but the response mechanisms are complex. Aims Herein, we review the recent findings related to the response of tropical forest ecosystems to seasonal and extreme droughts and the current knowledge about the future of these ecosystems. Results This review emphasizes the progress made over recent years and the importance of the studies conducted under extreme drought conditions or in through-fall exclusion experiments in understanding the response of these ecosystems. It also points to the great diversity and complexity of the response of tropical rainforest ecosystems to drought. Conclusion The numerous gaps identified here require the international scientific community to combine efforts in order to conduct comprehensive studies in tropical forest regions. These results are essential to simulate the future of these ecosystems under diverse climate scenarios and to predict the future of the global earth carbon balance. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/14520-6 - Quantifying and modelling the seasonality of pantropical forest net primary production using field observations and remote sensing data
Grantee:Fabien Hubert Wagner
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral