Drought

The future of the Amazon rainforest, in the hands of the smallest trees

A new study, led by the University of Exeter with the participation of Maurizio Mencuccini, ICREA research professor in CREAF, suggests small trees adapt better to droughts and could grow into a new generation to help the rainforest survive.

Amazons Climate change Drought Ecophysiology Exester @en Functional ecology Functional traits Hydraulics Jungle Maurizio mencuccini @en Plant physiology Water stress

A year of respite for Catalonia’s forests

With spring almost upon us, CREAF’s experts are reporting that this year could be a chance for Catalonia’s forests to recover from accumulated past droughts and the devastating effects of the pine processionary. There will be no let-up for the territory’s undergrowth, however, with the box tree moth’s continuing expansion leaving just 20% of box plants with new growth.

Box Box tree most Catalunya @en Caterpillar Drought Forestry Forests Infestation Oaks Spring

Trees’ risk of climate change-induced death is reflected in their wood

According to a study led by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the way trees have responded to drought in the past could be a key indicator of their risk of mortality. The study examined growth rings to compare that response in dead and surviving trees.

Climate change Drought Forests Growth rings Mortality Resilience Tree rings

Satellites are overestimating vegetation's ability to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide

According to an article by CREAF researchers Benjamin Stocker and Josep Peñuelas published in Nature Geoscience, drought impact studies based on satellite data do not factor in the effects of soil moisture.

sequera_dades

Benjamin stocker @en Climate change Co2 @en Drought Earth observation Eo Forests Gis @en Josep peñuelas @en Moisture Satellite Soils

Thirsty holm oaks lose 21% more carbon through their roots

Once rehydrated, holm oaks have a large capacity for recovery thanks to their high adaptation to the Mediterranean climate. The release of organic compounds into the soil represents a considerable loss of carbon for the holm oak and also modifies the microbial community, which may lead to additional effects on the tree.

Carbon Catherine preece @en Climate change Drought Exudates Exudation Geu @en Holm oak Josep peñuelas @en Microorganisms Roots S-clima @en Soil Tree physiology @en Water

How the forests of the Iberian Peninsula have changed over 25 years?

The increase in drought episodes and the lack of water in the soil have favored Mediterranean speciesAt the same time, conifers are losing ground because they are less adapted to droughts. These trends correspond to the period of 1987 to 2012 and have been confirmed through satellite remote sensing images.

Broadleaf Climate change Conifers Cristina domingo @en Deciduous Drought Forest abandonment Forest dynamics Forest ecology and management @en Forests Holm oak Iberian peninsule Juan josé vidal macua @en Kermes oak Land use change Oak Perennial Pines Population dynamics Remote sensing Satellite Succession Topography Transition Xavier pons @en

Do drought-affected trees die of thirst or hunger?

A new study has concluded that, universally, trees that have died from drought are unable to transport water to their leaves. The findings also highlight trees that have drained their carbon reserves since they are not able to carry out photosynthesis. The results of the study will permit the creation of more precise models for predicting the effects of climatic changes on vegetation.

Climate change Co2 @en Die-off Drim @en Drought Forests Fun2fun @en Hunger Hydraulics Jordi martínez vilalta @en Maurizio mencuccini @en Mortality Nature ecology & evolution @en Photosynthesis Thirst Trees Water