An evaluation of multi-species empirical tree mortality algorithms for dynamic vegetation modelling.

ABSTRACT: Tree mortality is key for projecting forest dynamics, but difficult to portray in dynamic vegetation models (DVMs). Empirical mortality algorithms (MAs) are often considered promising, but little is known about DVM robustness when employing MAs of various structures and origins for multiple species. We analysed empirical MAs for a suite of European tree species within a consistent DVM framework under present and future climates in two climatically different study areas in Switzerland and evaluated their performance using empirical data from old-growth forests across Europe. DVM projections under present climate showed substantial variations when using alternative empirical MAs for the same species. Under climate change, DVM projections showed partly contrasting mortality responses for the

SUBMITTER: Thrippleton T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8494886 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature