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Divergent changes in the elevational gradient of vegetation activities over the last 30 years

Author

Listed:
  • Mengdi Gao

    (Peking University)

  • Shilong Piao

    (Peking University
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Anping Chen

    (Colorado State University)

  • Hui Yang

    (Peking University)

  • Qiang Liu

    (Peking University)

  • Yongshuo H. Fu

    (Beijing Normal University
    University of Antwerp)

  • Ivan A. Janssens

    (University of Antwerp)

Abstract

The reported progressive change of vegetation activity along elevational gradients has important aesthetic and conservation values. With climate change, cooler locations are suggested to warm faster than warmer ones, raising concerns of a more homogenized landscape along the elevation. Here, we use global satellite data to investigate the spatio-temporal dynamics of the elevational gradient (EG) in vegetation greenness (NDVImax3), spring (SOS) and autumn phenology (EOS) during 1982–2015. Although we find clear geographical patterns of the EG in NDVImax3 and SOS, there are no prevalent trends of vegetation homogenization or phenology synchronization along elevational gradients. Possible mechanisms, including spatially heterogeneous temperature lapse rate changes, different vegetation sensitivities to climate change, and human disturbances, may play diverse roles across different regions. Our finding of mixed EG trends and no general rules controlling EG dynamics poses challenges for mitigating possible adverse impacts of climate change on mountainous biological diversity and ecosystem services.

Suggested Citation

  • Mengdi Gao & Shilong Piao & Anping Chen & Hui Yang & Qiang Liu & Yongshuo H. Fu & Ivan A. Janssens, 2019. "Divergent changes in the elevational gradient of vegetation activities over the last 30 years," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-11035-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11035-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Fengsong Pei & Yi Zhou & Yan Xia, 2021. "Assessing the Impacts of Extreme Precipitation Change on Vegetation Activity," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Liwei Zhang & Sibo Zhang & Xinghui Xia & Tom J. Battin & Shaoda Liu & Qingrui Wang & Ran Liu & Zhifeng Yang & Jinren Ni & Emily H. Stanley, 2022. "Unexpectedly minor nitrous oxide emissions from fluvial networks draining permafrost catchments of the East Qinghai-Tibet Plateau," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    3. Xiaobo Zhu & Honglin He & Mingguo Ma & Xiaoli Ren & Li Zhang & Fawei Zhang & Yingnian Li & Peili Shi & Shiping Chen & Yanfen Wang & Xiaoping Xin & Yaoming Ma & Yu Zhang & Mingyuan Du & Rong Ge & Na Ze, 2020. "Estimating Ecosystem Respiration in the Grasslands of Northern China Using Machine Learning: Model Evaluation and Comparison," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, March.
    4. Zhang, Pengyi & Liang, Yu & Liu, Bo & Ma, Tianxiao & Wu, Mia M., 2023. "A coupled modelling framework for predicting tree species’ altitudinal migration velocity in montane forest," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 484(C).

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