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Positive feedbacks and alternative stable states in forest leaf types

Author

Listed:
  • Yibiao Zou

    (ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology))

  • Constantin M. Zohner

    (ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology))

  • Colin Averill

    (ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology))

  • Haozhi Ma

    (ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology))

  • Julian Merder

    (Carnegie Institution for Science)

  • Miguel Berdugo

    (ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology))

  • Lalasia Bialic-Murphy

    (ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology))

  • Lidong Mo

    (ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology))

  • Philipp Brun

    (Snow and Landscape Research WSL)

  • Niklaus E. Zimmermann

    (Snow and Landscape Research WSL)

  • Jingjing Liang

    (Purdue University)

  • Sergio de-Miguel

    (University of Lleida
    Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC))

  • Gert-Jan Nabuurs

    (Wageningen University and Research)

  • Peter B. Reich

    (University of Minnesota
    Western Sydney University
    University of Michigan)

  • Ulo Niinements

    (Estonian University of Life Sciences)

  • Jonas Dahlgren

    (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Gerald Kändler

    (Forstliche Versuchs- und Forschungsanstalt Baden-Württemberg)

  • Sophia Ratcliffe

    (NBN Trust)

  • Paloma Ruiz-Benito

    (Universidad de Alcalá)

  • Miguel Angel Zavala

    (Universidad de Alcalá)

  • Thomas W. Crowther

    (ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology))

Abstract

The emergence of alternative stable states in forest systems has significant implications for the functioning and structure of the terrestrial biosphere, yet empirical evidence remains scarce. Here, we combine global forest biodiversity observations and simulations to test for alternative stable states in the presence of evergreen and deciduous forest types. We reveal a bimodal distribution of forest leaf types across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere that cannot be explained by the environment alone, suggesting signatures of alternative forest states. Moreover, we empirically demonstrate the existence of positive feedbacks in tree growth, recruitment and mortality, with trees having 4–43% higher growth rates, 14–17% higher survival rates and 4–7 times higher recruitment rates when they are surrounded by trees of their own leaf type. Simulations show that the observed positive feedbacks are necessary and sufficient to generate alternative forest states, which also lead to dependency on history (hysteresis) during ecosystem transition from evergreen to deciduous forests and vice versa. We identify hotspots of bistable forest types in evergreen-deciduous ecotones, which are likely driven by soil-related positive feedbacks. These findings are integral to predicting the distribution of forest biomes, and aid to our understanding of biodiversity, carbon turnover, and terrestrial climate feedbacks.

Suggested Citation

  • Yibiao Zou & Constantin M. Zohner & Colin Averill & Haozhi Ma & Julian Merder & Miguel Berdugo & Lalasia Bialic-Murphy & Lidong Mo & Philipp Brun & Niklaus E. Zimmermann & Jingjing Liang & Sergio de-M, 2024. "Positive feedbacks and alternative stable states in forest leaf types," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-48676-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48676-5
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