Tree growth response to recent warming of two endemic species in Northeast Asia

Abstract

The impact of climatic change on forest ecosystems has received considerable attention, but our understanding of the modulation of this impact by elevational differences and by species interaction is still limited. Here, we analyse tree-ringbased growth-climate relationships for two dominant tree species along an 800-m elevational gradient on Jeju Island, South Korea. Both species, broadleaf Quercus mongolica (QUMO) and coniferous Abies koreana (ABKO), grow at the southern end of their distributional range and they have adjacent altitudinal ranges. We use static and moving bootstrapped correlation analysis to identify the effect of recent warming on their growth. QUMO is primarily positively influenced by moisture during the previous autumn at its upper elevational distribution. Recent warming, however, has diminished this relationship, while the enhancing impact of warm and dry summer conditions on QUMO growth has increased. These recent shifts in growth-climate relationship suggest an upward migration potential for QUMO due to warming-enhanced growth at higher elevations. ABKO growth, on the contrary, is primarily reduced by high winter and summer temperatures. This negative relationship has become more explicit in recent decades, particularly at lower elevations. At the highest elevation, however, ABKO growth-temperature relationship has consistently become more positive in the most recent decades. In the elevational zone where ABKO and QUMO co-exist, warming plays a primary role in ABKO growth reduction, while QUMO growth increases and thus induces a potential upward migration of QUMO. This combined effect can lead to population decline of ABKO. Our results significantly enhance our understanding of the impact of climate warming on two interacting species and provide information necessary for adaptation strategies to preserve declining ABKO populations.

Climate fluctuations drive the recruitment and growth of temperate grassland plants

“…This study clearly shows that recent climate warming and prolonged drought events exerted a strong negative impact on grassland plant recruitment, growth and population dynamics, which is consistent with previous observations from trees (Altman et al, 2020; Babst et al, 2019), shrubs (Krab et al, 2018; Buchwal et al, 2020) and alpine herbs (Dee & Stambaugh 2019; Dolezal et al, 2020, 2021). In Central Europe, the last three decades can be divided into warmer and drier 1990s and 2010s and relatively cooler and wetter 2000s.…”

“…However, little is known about the species-specific responses of plants to environmental change drivers, such as recent accelerated warming and frequent summer droughts (Brun et al, 2020; Dolezal et al, 2020). Moreover, while responses to current climate change are extensively documented in trees and shrubs (Francon et al, 2020; Altman et al, 2020), comprehensive assessments of long-term regeneration and growth responses to climate change are still rare in herbs, yet they encompass a vast majority of the plant species globally (Dee & Stambaugh, 2019; Dolezal et al, 2021).…”

Tropical Cyclone Disturbances Induce Contrasting Impacts on Forest Structure, Plant Composition, and Soil Properties in Temperate Broadleaf and Coniferous Forests

“…The isolated location of Halla Island also brings limited availability of propagules from source metapopulations on the Korean mainland [78,79]. In addition, A. koreana is sensitive to heatwaves and extended drought, which is the main reason for its threat from global warming [80][81][82][83]. Thus, wind damage of A. koreana trees, together with limited seedling regeneration, may contribute to future population decline or extinction of this species according to climate warming scenarios [83].…”

Spatial Distribution and Climate Warming Impact on Abies kawakamii Forest on a Subtropical Island

“…Plants at high altitudes are susceptible to climate change [ 30 , 31 ] and rarely have the opportunity to migrate upwards under warming conditions [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Abies tree species that grow on the island’s high mountains, such as A. koreana [ 35 , 36 , 37 ], may face a more severe decline. Unfortunately, both past observations and future predictions show a clear warming trend for Taiwan [ 38 , 39 , 40 ], and it is necessary to understand the spatial distribution of A. kawakamii in the high mountain areas of this subtropical island.…”