Vegetation structure drives forest phenological recovery after hurricane

Abstract

Hurricanes affect the structure and function of forests by removing leaf area, reducing biomass, and causing plant mortality. Quantifying the effects of hurricanes on the phenological processes of forests can help to develop a better understanding of the responses of these systems to natural disasters. On October 10, 2018 Hurricane Michael made landfall in the northern Gulf of Mexico causing extensive damage to forests within its path. Using a phenology model, we evaluated the short-term response and recovery of phenological processes of two subtropical forests that were affected by the storm. Our results suggest that the hurricane accelerated senescence in autumn following the storm, leading to a shorter growing season. The response was dependent on the structure of the forest prior to the storm and the degree of damage; the forest with a taller canopy had greater damage, and the recovery period was prolonged compared to the forest with a shorter canopy. In the summer of the first year following the hurricane, ecosystem physiological function began to return to pre-hurricane levels which corresponded to a recovery in growing season length. The functional diversity in the understory may have aided recovery of post-hurricane spring phenology. While summer phenology was synchronized with the rate of vegetation coverage and mainly driven by increase in canopy leaf area, these forests have not completely recovered during the study. As extreme weather events and disasters induced by global climate change may become more frequent, our research can provide a reference for post-disaster forest management practices which can be adapted to local conditions and contribute to restoration efforts.