Multiple mechanisms determine the effect of warming on plant litter decomposition in a dryland

Chuckran, Peter F.; Reibold, Robin; Throop, Heather L.; Reed, Sasha C.

doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2020.107799

Cited by 24 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…The tropics were the only region to show a trend, with forest loss increasing by 2101 square kilometres per year. The effects of these changes in vegetation are poorly defined, but recent studies indicate that land-use changes that increase the exposure of plant litter to solar radiation will accelerate carbon losses from these ecosystems because of photodegradation and photo-facilitation [ 222 , 167 , 297 , 299 , 300 , 303 , 308 – 311 ].…”

Section: Biogeochemical Cycles In the Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and interactions with climate change: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2020

Neale

Barnes

Robson

et al. 2021

Photochem Photobiol Sci

117

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This assessment by the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides the latest scientific update since our most recent comprehensive assessment (Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 2019, 18, 595–828). The interactive effects between the stratospheric ozone layer, solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and climate change are presented within the framework of the Montreal Protocol and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We address how these global environmental changes affect the atmosphere and air quality; human health; terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; biogeochemical cycles; and materials used in outdoor construction, solar energy technologies, and fabrics. In many cases, there is a growing influence from changes in seasonality and extreme events due to climate change. Additionally, we assess the transmission and environmental effects of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, in the context of linkages with solar UV radiation and the Montreal Protocol.

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Section: Biogeochemical Cycles In the Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and interactions with climate change: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2020

Neale

Barnes

Robson

et al. 2021

Photochem Photobiol Sci

117

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Decreases in litter in the drought plots could reduce potential nutrient inputs due to reductions in available decomposition substrate. Yet declines in biocrust from global change experiments have been shown to increase litter decomposition due to increases in soil litter mixing and photodegradation (Chuckran et al, 2020), so it is also possible that decomposition rates in the control and drought plots are similar. However, the combined interactions of time and drought treatment effects on these two important ground cover types, biocrust and litter, likely equates to modest changes, and possible decreases, in N turnover and inputs due to extreme drought.…”

Section: Vegetation and Biocrust Response To Droughtmentioning

confidence: 99%

Droughting a megadrought: Ecological consequences of a decade of experimental drought atop aridification on the Colorado Plateau

Finger‐Higgens

Bishop

Belnap

et al. 2023

Global Change Biology

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Global dryland vegetation communities will likely change as ongoing drought conditions shift regional climates towards a more arid future. Additional aridification of drylands can impact plant and ground cover, biogeochemical cycles, and plant–soil feedbacks, yet how and when these crucial ecosystem components will respond to drought intensification requires further investigation. Using a long‐term precipitation reduction experiment (35% reduction) conducted across the Colorado Plateau and spanning 10 years into a 20+ year regional megadrought, we explored how vegetation cover, soil conditions, and growing season nitrogen (N) availability are impacted by drying climate conditions. We observed large declines for all dominant plant functional types (C3 and C4 grasses and C3 and C4 shrubs) across measurement period, both in the drought treatment and control plots, likely due to ongoing regional megadrought conditions. In experimental drought plots, we observed less plant cover, less biological soil crust cover, warmer and drier soil conditions, and more soil resin‐extractable N compared to the control plots. Observed increases in soil N availability were best explained by a negative correlation with plant cover regardless of treatment, suggesting that declines in vegetation N uptake may be driving increases in available soil N. However, in ecosystems experiencing long‐term aridification, increased N availability may ultimately result in N losses if soil moisture is consistently too dry to support plant and microbial N immobilization and ecosystem recovery. These results show dramatic, worrisome declines in plant cover with long‐term drought. Additionally, this study highlights that more plant cover losses are possible with further drought intensification and underscore that, in addition to large drought effects on aboveground communities, drying trends drive significant changes to critical soil resources such as N availability, all of which could have long‐term ecosystem impacts for drylands.

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“…The emissions are expected to reach the dangerous level of 495 ppm by the year 2100 and are projected to raise global temperature by 4°C [8][9][10]. This warming trend has already affected forest ecosystems globally and can further reduce the supply of ecosystem services [11,12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecosystem Services in the Changing Climate: Calling Attention for the Conservation of Tropical and Subtropical Forests

Ghafoor¹,

Shahid²,

Ali³

et al. 2023

Tropical Forests - Ecology, Diversity and Conservation Status

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Tropical and subtropical forests have diverse ecological functions but are most disturbed due to climatic changes. Peer-reviewed articles, books and reports were searched and downloaded to analyze the effect of climatic changes on tropical and subtropical forests and highlight the need for conservation efforts to ensure sustainable supply of ecosystem services. These forests store largest share (55%) of global terrestrial carbon pool. But the projected rise in temperature (4oC), CO2 levels (495 ppm) and changes in precipitation regime by 2100 are expected to cause significant changes in ecosystem productivity and nutrient turnover rate making forests more vulnerable to climate change. High temperature with low rainfall reduces tree growth, increases soil carbon fluxes by accelerating rate of nutrient cycling, restricts the range of pollinators and increases pest infestation (Phytophthora cinnamomi) affecting ecosystem health and future food security. Increase in heat waves increase the incidence of wild fires and degrade ecosystem quality. Climate change also reduces the scenic beauty, ecotourism and associated economic and mental health benefits. Proactive measures must be taken to mitigate the likely causes of climate change and efforts should be taken to conserve the existing forest reserves to ensure sustainable supply of the ecosystem services.

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Multiple mechanisms determine the effect of warming on plant litter decomposition in a dryland

Cited by 24 publications

References 51 publications

Environmental effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and interactions with climate change: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2020

Environmental effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and interactions with climate change: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2020

Droughting a megadrought: Ecological consequences of a decade of experimental drought atop aridification on the Colorado Plateau

Ecosystem Services in the Changing Climate: Calling Attention for the Conservation of Tropical and Subtropical Forests

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