Abstract
Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) forests are an important ecosystem in the southeastern United States, with high economic and ecological value. It is necessary to study the climate variation within its range in order to understand the effects of climate change on longleaf pine forests. In this study, past climate data at three sites within the longleaf pine range were used to detect climate variation. The results indicated no dramatic change in solar radiation at the three sites. There were high variations in annual air temperature at the three sites. The trend of annual air temperature change depended on the time scale and start/end time. The annual air temperature generally increased from the 1960s at three sites. However, from 1901 to 2020, the trend of increasing annual air temperature was not consistent. The annual precipitation and the standardized precipitation-evapotranspiration index were relatively stable, with variation at the three sites. The regimes of annual and monthly air temperature and precipitation were not shifted based on the analysis of multiscale entropy. The climate niche of longleaf pine forests based on long-term climate data was broader than previously found. These results may be helpful to understand the interactions of the atmosphere and growth of longleaf pine forest and develop relevant management strategies.
Highlights
Global warming is estimated to increase air temperature by 1.2~3.0 ◦ C around 2050 based on different greenhouse gas emission scenarios [1]
Climate data from the past century are helpful to provide multiscale climate variation and regime information. It appears that the climate within the range of longleaf pine forests has had no clear trend of change in the past century, though air temperature has been increasing since the 1960s, and precipitation and drought have variation at different periods
The climate niche of longleaf pine based on the long-term climate data is much broader than the previously reported
Summary
Global warming is estimated to increase air temperature by 1.2~3.0 ◦ C around 2050 based on different greenhouse gas emission scenarios [1]. Since the climate is the primary limiting factor for species’ range limits [2,3], global and regional climate change can affect plant growth and cause a shift in the growing region, especially for narrowly distributed plant species. Vegetation can affect chemical composition (e.g., CO2 emission) and physical properties (e.g., air temperature and humidity) of the atmosphere through physiological activities. Due to the complicated interactions with local topography, soil types, and species’ biological characteristics, some plant species, such as trees, have remained static for a long time [5], while others have moved in the opposite direction than expected (typically poleward/upslope) [6]. It is essential to evaluate regional climate change and species adaptation in each region, especially for those with a high economic value [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
