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.
Highlights
Two critical priorities under future climates are managing water resources and understanding the impacts of climate change on vegetation
We focus on seasonal changes in precipitation and extreme precipitation
Studies to date suggest that xeric ecosystems generally were associated with positive responses of above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP) to extreme precipitation, while comparatively mesic ecosystems were associated with negative responses of ANPP
Summary
Two critical priorities under future climates are managing water resources and understanding the impacts of climate change on vegetation. Increasing evidence suggests that variability and extremes in precipitation are more important drivers of ecosystem processes than mean conditions (Heisler-White et al, 2008; Heisler-White et al, 2009; Smith, 2011; Reyer et al, 2012; Thompson et al, 2013) Both the size and timing of rain events are strong drivers of ecological processes (Schwinning and Sala, 2004; Zeppel et al, 2008a). Reductions in plant growth and increases in mortality often affect complex links among soil biochemistry, land–surface interactions, and carbon and water fluxes, which may alter stream flow and increase evapotranspiration (Keith et al, 2009; Adams et al, 2011) This creates land–surface feedbacks between vegetation, hydrology and climates (Adams et al, 2011). “Seasonal redistribution” means reduced precipitation for an entire month or season, with increased precipitation in a later month or season (see Volder et al, 2013)
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