Biancari, Lucio, Aguiar, Martín R., Eldridge, David J. et al. (101 more authors) (2024) Drivers of woody dominance across global drylands. Science Advances. eadn6007. ISSN 2375-2548
Abstract
Increases in the abundance of woody species have been reported to affect the provisioning of ecosystem services in drylands worldwide. However, it is virtually unknown how multiple biotic and abiotic drivers, such as climate, grazing, and fire, interact to determine woody dominance across global drylands. We conducted a standardized field survey in 304 plots across 25 countries to assess how climatic features, soil properties, grazing, and fire affect woody dominance in dryland rangelands. Precipitation, temperature, and grazing were key determinants of tree and shrub dominance. The effects of grazing were determined not solely by grazing pressure but also by the dominant livestock species. Interactions between soil, climate, and grazing and differences in responses to these factors between trees and shrubs were key to understanding changes in woody dominance. Our findings suggest that projected changes in climate and grazing pressure may increase woody dominance in drylands, altering their structure and functioning.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2024 The Authors, some rights reserved. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 02 Jan 2025 14:00 |
Last Modified: | 23 Jan 2025 00:37 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adn6007 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1126/sciadv.adn6007 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:221213 |
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Filename: sciadv.adn6007.pdf
Description: Drivers of woody dominance across global drylands
Licence: CC-BY-NC 2.5