Research Trends and Methodological Approaches of the Impacts of Windstorms on Forests in Tropical, Subtropical, and Temperate Zones: Where Are We Now and How Should Research Move Forward?

Abstract

Windstorm is one of the destructive natural disturbances, but the scale-link extent to which recurrent windstorms influenced forests ecosystems is poorly understood in a changing climate across regions. We reviewed the synergistic impacts of windstorms on forests and assessed research trends and methodological approaches from peer-reviewed articles published from 2000 to 2020 in tropical (TRF), subtropical (SUF), and temperate (TEF) forests/zones, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Overall, the majority of the reviewed studies were conducted in TRF (i.e., 40%), intermediate in SUF (i.e., 34%), and the lowest in TEF (i.e., 26%). Among the four levels of biological organization, the species-population and community-ecosystem levels had the highest number of study cases, while the molecular-cellular-individual and landscape levels had the lowest study cases in all forest types. Most of the articles reviewed dealt largely on tree mortality/survival and regeneration/succession for TRF, tree mortality/survival and species composition/richness/diversity for SUF, and stem density, gap dynamics, and regeneration/succession for TEF. However, research on the effects of windstorms on mycorrhizal symbioses, population genetics, and physiological adaptation, element fluxes via litterfall, litter decomposition, belowground processes, biological invasion, and tree health are less common in all forest types. Further, most of the studies were conducted in permanent plots but these studies mostly used observational design, while controlled studies are obviously limited. Consequently, more observational and controlled studies are needed on the topic reviewed, particularly studies at the molecular-cellular-individual and landscape levels, to help inform forest management decision-making about developing sustainable and resilient forests amid climate change.

Abnormal Litter Induced by Typhoon Disturbances Had Higher Rates of Mass Loss and Carbon Release than Physiological Litter in Coastal Subtropical Urban Forest Ecosystems

“…17.2-32.6 m/s in the wind circle and a rating of c. 8-10 level (https://e.weather.com.cn/ mtqzt/3367215.shtml) (accessed on 30 September 2022). The effects of typhoons on abnormal litter production and quality are not yet fully understood [56]. To better understand the tropical cyclones on the initial quality of abnormal litter, it is necessary to further investigate the changes in abnormal litter production and quality with the intensity, disturbance frequency, and the occurrence time of tropical cyclones, as well as tree species and forest types.…”

Effects of Decapitation, Water-Deficit Stress, and Pot Size on Morpho-Anatomy and Physiology of Pterocarpus indicus

“…Natural disturbances, such as volcanic eruptions and windstorms, are the major causes of stem damage (decapitation or branch removal), which can influence the forest ecosystem functions and structures by altering the growth and development of the plant (Herbert et al 1999;Hernandez et al 2020;Hirsh and Marier 2002). In some studies, decapitation is a good practice for stimulating stem growth by apical dominance (Liu et al 2017;Pal et al 2013).…”

Growth of Deciduous and Evergreen Species in Two Contrasting Temperate Forest Stands in Korea: An Intersite Experiment

“…Seedlings of different species and life-history traits are thus expected to respond differently to resource limitation and heterogeneity due to variation in growth potential and shade tolerance [ 4 ]. In temperate forests, trade-offs between survival and growth along resource gradients are well-documented for saplings, but there is less evidence available for the seedling stage [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Thus, studies on seedling growth of contrasting species with different requirements for essential resources can help us understand how seedlings perform relative to each other via inter-site conditions.…”