Permafrost instability negates the positive impact of warming temperatures on boreal radial growth.

ABSTRACT: Climate warming can alleviate temperature and nutrient constraints on tree growth in boreal regions, potentially enhancing boreal productivity. However, in permafrost environments, warming also disrupts the physical foundation on which trees grow, leading to leaning trees or "drunken" forests. Tree leaning might reduce radial growth, undermining potential benefits of warming. Here, we found widespread radial growth reductions in southern latitude boreal forests since the 1980s. At mid latitudes, radial growth increased from ~1980 to ~2000 but showed recent signs of decline afterward. Increased growth was evident since the 1980 s at higher latitudes, where radial growth appears to be temperature limited. However, recent changes in permafrost stability, and the associated increased frequency

SUBMITTER: Alfaro-Sanchez R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11648870 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature