Impacts of extreme precipitation and seasonal changes in precipitation on plants

Abstract

Abstract. The global hydrological cycle is predicted to become more intense in future climates, with both larger precipitation events and longer times between events in some regions. Redistribution of precipitation may occur both within and across seasons, and the resulting wide fluctuations in soil water content (SWC) may dramatically affect plants. Though these responses remain poorly understood, recent research in this emerging field suggests the effects of redistributed precipitation may differ from predictions based on previous drought studies. We review available studies on both extreme precipitation (redistribution within seasons) and seasonal changes in precipitation (redistribution across seasons) on grasslands and forests.Extreme precipitation differentially affected above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP), depending on whether extreme precipitation led to increased or decreased SWC, which differed based on the current precipitation and aridity index of the site. Specifically, studies to date reported that extreme precipitation decreased ANPP in mesic sites, but, conversely, increased ANPP in xeric sites, suggesting that plant-available water is a key factor driving responses to extreme precipitation. Similarly, the effects of seasonal changes in precipitation on ANPP, phenology, and leaf and fruit development varied with the effect on SWC. Reductions in spring or summer generally had negative effects on plants, associated with reduced SWC, while subsequent reductions in autumn or winter had little effect on SWC or plants. Similarly, increased summer precipitation had a more dramatic impact on plants than winter increases in precipitation.The patterns of response suggest xeric biomes may respond positively to extreme precipitation, while comparatively mesic biomes may be more likely to be negatively affected. Moreover, seasonal changes in precipitation during warm or dry seasons may have larger effects than changes during cool or wet seasons. Accordingly, responses to redistributed precipitation will involve a complex interplay between plant-available water, plant functional type and resultant influences on plant phenology, growth and water relations. These results highlight the need for experiments across a range of soil types and plant functional types, critical for predicting future vegetation responses to future climates.

Past and future influence of climate change on spatially heterogeneous vegetation activity in China

“…As for the regional scales, a continuously rising trend of NPP at a rate of 0.22 %/a was noted in the tropical and subtropical zones, while a continuously decreasing trend (−0.05 %/a) appeared in the temperate zone in China (Wang et al, 2008). Additionally, because of the spatial heterogeneity in vegetation cover, together with the strong regional 10 differences in precipitation (de Jong et al, 2013;Zeppel et al, 2014;Duo et al, 2016), the increased precipitation concentration caused the decreased NPP in semiarid regions (Fay et al, 2008;Hoover et al, 2014), but increased NPP in arid regions (Baez et al, 2013).…”

The impact of environmental drivers on narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl) budburst dates

“…Seasonal changes in precipitation quantities often lead to physiological stress, changes in the phenology, and reduced increment; however, the impact predominantly depends on trends in changed precipitation quantities through the seasons of the year (Zeppel et al 2014). Unlike temperature sums, in this investigation precipitation proved to be much more important for budburst date modelling.…”

“…Using the example of narrow-leaved ash as one of the representatives of floodplain forest sites in Europe, it can be concluded that it is precisely site ecology that partially attributes importance to precipitation. In forest and grassland ecosystems, changed precipitation quantities in summer and spring periods have a much higher impact on vegetation than changes in autumn and winter periods (Zeppel et al 2014).…”

“…The two critical priorities regarding future climate is the management of water resources and the understanding of impacts of climate change on the vegetation cover (Zeppel et al 2014), where phenology represents the best instrument for the detection and appraisal of climate changes (Ro-…”

Preface: Impacts of extreme climate events and disturbances on carbon dynamics

“…Their results indicate that soil respiration was more sensitive to soil moisture in the presence of drought, and higher precipitation in the wet season could have a limited effect on the response of soil respiration to rising temperatures (Jiang et al, 2013). Zeppel et al (2014) reviewed studies of extreme precipitation and seasonal changes in precipitation on carbon metabolism in grassland and forested ecosystems. They found that extremely high precipitation is likely to increase aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) of xeric biomes and reduce ANPP of mesic biomes.…”