Drought‑driven declines in water‑use efficiency reshape carbon dynamics of a subtropical forest

article


















Mwangi, B.N.

Ayoma, W.

Li, Y.

Bruynzeel, L.A.

Liu, J.

Zhang, J.

Otieno, D.

Sikuku, L.

Yang, M.

Suba, V.

Achieng, O.E.

Okechukwu, I.

Akter, A.

Rana, S.

Chu, G.

Zhang, Q.

Tang, X.

Meng, Z.

Zhang, D.
Abstract Background Subtropical forests play a critical role in global carbon cycling but are highly sensitive to climate-driven precipitation and temperature variability. At China’s Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve, observed warming (+1.5 °C since 2002) and precipitation declines (8.2 ± 1.3 mm/yr) exceed global subtropical averages, yet their combined effects on water-use efficiency (WUE) and carbon exchange remain poorly quantified. Methods Using 21 years of eddy covariance and meteorological data (2002–2022), we analyzed WUE (defined as NEE/ET; g C kg−1 H2O) responses to drought events classified via the standardized precipitation index (SPI). Results The reserve experienced increasing drought frequency, with 7 extreme droughts (SPI≤– 2.0) post-2010 versus 2 pre-2010. Soil moisture extremes.
Topics







Climate changeWater-use efficiency (WUE)Carbon fluxStandardized precipitation index (SPI)Subtropical forestDrought resilienceEddy covarianceEcosystem respiration
TNO Identifier
1017880
Repository link
https://resolver.tno.nl/uuid:e89d4ec0-e328-43f2-adb4-631af08a8b49
Source
Ecological Processes, pp. 1-16.
Pages
1-16
Files