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Landscape patterns in stand-replacing disturbances across the world’s forests

Author

Listed:
  • Nezha Acil

    (University of Birmingham
    University of Birmingham
    University of Leicester
    University of Leicester)

  • Jonathan P. Sadler

    (University of Birmingham
    University of Birmingham)

  • Cornelius Senf

    (Technical University of Munich)

  • Susanne Suvanto

    (University of Birmingham
    University of Birmingham
    Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke))

  • Thomas A. M. Pugh

    (University of Birmingham
    University of Birmingham
    Lund University)

Abstract

The spatial imprint of forest disturbances, which can result from a variety of anthropogenic and natural causes, is important in shaping the form and function of the world’s forests. However, we lack a systematic assessment of how the forms of forest disturbances differ globally, which could help in sustainable forest policy and management initiatives to protect forest biomes. Here we produce a global-scale quantification of disturbance patch structures. Using indicators of magnitude, complexity and context, we found that the forms of stand-replacing disturbances can be classified into four broad patterns, whose spatial dominance varies across regions. Human activities were shown to introduce disturbance structures that are not naturally common, especially in the tropics. The consistency of these patterns across biomes outside intact forests suggests that a continuation of current dynamics may lead to a structural homogenization of the world’s forests, with potential consequences for forest ecology and functions. These results provide a greater understanding of the mechanisms governing forest dynamics and elucidating the causal agents of disturbances. This will be a key step towards building more reliable projections of future forest conditions, informing policymaking and ensuring the sustainability of forest management.

Suggested Citation

  • Nezha Acil & Jonathan P. Sadler & Cornelius Senf & Susanne Suvanto & Thomas A. M. Pugh, 2025. "Landscape patterns in stand-replacing disturbances across the world’s forests," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 86-98, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:8:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41893-024-01450-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01450-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andreas Sommerfeld & Cornelius Senf & Brian Buma & Anthony W. D’Amato & Tiphaine Després & Ignacio Díaz-Hormazábal & Shawn Fraver & Lee E. Frelich & Álvaro G. Gutiérrez & Sarah J. Hart & Brian J. Harv, 2018. "Patterns and drivers of recent disturbances across the temperate forest biome," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. H. S. Grantham & A. Duncan & T. D. Evans & K. R. Jones & H. L. Beyer & R. Schuster & J. Walston & J. C. Ray & J. G. Robinson & M. Callow & T. Clements & H. M. Costa & A. DeGemmis & P. R. Elsen & J. Er, 2020. "Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Barnabas H. Daru & T. Jonathan Davies & Charles G. Willis & Emily K. Meineke & Argo Ronk & Martin Zobel & Meelis Pärtel & Alexandre Antonelli & Charles C. Davis, 2021. "Widespread homogenization of plant communities in the Anthropocene," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
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