The impact of future forest dynamics on climate: interactive effects of changing vegetation and disturbance regimes.

ABSTRACT: Currently, the temperate forest biome cools the earth's climate and dampens anthropogenic climate change. However, climate change will substantially alter forest dynamics in the future, affecting the climate regulation function of forests. Increasing natural disturbances can reduce carbon uptake and evaporative cooling, but at the same time increase the albedo of a landscape. Simultaneous changes in vegetation composition can mitigate disturbance impacts, but also influence climate regulation directly (e.g., via albedo changes). As a result of a number of interactive drivers (changes in climate, vegetation, and disturbance) and their simultaneous effects on climate-relevant processes (carbon exchange, albedo, latent heat flux) the future climate regulation function of forests remains highl

SUBMITTER: Thom D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5884431 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature