Long-term tree population growth can predict woody encroachment patterns.

ABSTRACT: Recent increases in woody plant density in dryland ecosystems-or "woody encroachment"-around the world are often attributed to land-use changes such as increased livestock grazing and wildfire suppression or to global environmental trends (e.g., increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide). While such changes have undoubtedly impacted ecosystem structure and function, the evidence linking them to woody encroachment is mixed, and the underlying processes are not fully understood. To clarify the role of demographic processes in changing woody plant abundance, we conducted a meta-analysis of tree age structures from 29 woodland populations across the interior western United States, estimating per-capita tree establishment rates over the last several hundred years using demographic models. We found

SUBMITTER: Shriver RK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12067274 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature