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

Wang, Lanhui (author): Lund University,Lunds universitet,Institutionen för naturgeografi och ekosystemvetenskap,Naturvetenskapliga fakulteten,Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science,Faculty of Science,Aarhus University

Cromsigt, Joris (author): Sveriges 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

Bakker, Elisabeth S. (author): Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW),Wageningen University

(creator_code:org_t)

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Abstract Subject headings

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)

By the author/editor: Wang, Lanhui; Cromsigt, Joris; Buitenwerf, Robe ...; Lundgren, Erick ...; Li, Wang; Bakker, Elisabet ...; show more...; Svenning, Jens C ...; show less...

About the subject

NATURAL SCIENCES: NATURAL SCIENCES; and Earth and Relate ...; and Environmental Sc ...

By the university: Lund University; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

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