Tree cover and its heterogeneity in natural ecosystems is linked to large herbivore biomass globally

Wang, LanhuiLund University,Lunds universitet,Institutionen för naturgeografi och ekosystemvetenskap,Naturvetenskapliga fakulteten,Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science,Faculty of Science,Aarhus University (författare)

Addressing intertwined crises of climate change and biodiversity loss is a pressing global challenge, with trees playing pivotal roles in promoting carbon sequestration and habitat diversity. However, there is a distinct knowledge gap concerning the global drivers shaping tree cover and its heterogeneity, particularly the roles and relative importance of large herbivores and fire compared to climatic and topo-edaphic conditions. Here, we deploy satellite observations of strictly protected areas worldwide to reveal that in regions where vegetation may be in disequilibrium with climate, high biomass of large herbivores, especially browsers, is inversely related to tree cover but positively associated with its spatial heterogeneity. Conversely, fire reduces both tree cover and heterogeneity. These results suggest that top-down megafauna effects on landscape-scale vegetation openness and heterogeneity manifest worldwide. Our finding supports the need to consider megafauna, particularly large herbivores, in ecosystem effects on climate change mitigation and conservation and restoration efforts through trophic rewilding.

NATURVETENSKAP Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap Miljövetenskap hsv//swe
NATURAL SCIENCES Earth and Related Environmental Sciences Environmental Sciences hsv//eng
NATURVETENSKAP Biologi Ekologi hsv//swe
NATURAL SCIENCES Biological Sciences Ecology hsv//eng
alternative biome states
fire
landscape heterogeneity
large herbivores
megafauna
rewilding
top-down control
tree cover heterogeneity
trophic cascade
vegetation openness

Cromsigt, JorisSveriges lantbruksuniversitet,Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå,Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University,Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development,Institutionen för vilt, fisk och miljö,Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies,Nelson Mandela University,Utrecht University(Swepub:slu)49620 (författare)
Buitenwerf, RobertAarhus University (författare)
Lundgren, Erick J.Aarhus University (författare)
Li, WangAarhus University (författare)
Bakker, Elisabeth S.Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW),Wageningen University (författare)
Svenning, Jens ChristianAarhus University (författare)
Institutionen för naturgeografi och ekosystemvetenskapNaturvetenskapliga fakulteten (creator_code:org_t)
Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet

Av författaren/redakt...: Wang, Lanhui; Cromsigt, Joris; Buitenwerf, Robe ...; Lundgren, Erick ...; Li, Wang; Bakker, Elisabet ...; visa fler...; Svenning, Jens C ...; visa färre...

Om ämnet

NATURVETENSKAP: NATURVETENSKAP; och Geovetenskap och ...; och Miljövetenskap

Kungliga biblioteket hanterar dina personuppgifter i enlighet med EU:s dataskyddsförordning (2018), GDPR. Läs mer om hur det funkar här.
Så här hanterar KB dina uppgifter vid användning av denna tjänst.