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Global patterns and climatic controls of forest structural complexity

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Ehbrecht

    (University of Göttingen)

  • Dominik Seidel

    (University of Göttingen)

  • Peter Annighöfer

    (Technical University of Munich (TUM))

  • Holger Kreft

    (University of Göttingen
    University of Göttingen)

  • Michael Köhler

    (Northwest German Forest Research Institute)

  • Delphine Clara Zemp

    (University of Göttingen)

  • Klaus Puettmann

    (Oregon State University)

  • Reuben Nilus

    (Forest Research Centre, Sabah Forestry Department)

  • Fred Babweteera

    (Budongo Conservation Field Station
    Makerere University)

  • Katharina Willim

    (University of Göttingen)

  • Melissa Stiers

    (University of Göttingen)

  • Daniel Soto

    (Universidad de Aysén)

  • Hans Juergen Boehmer

    (University of the South Pacific
    University of Jena)

  • Nicholas Fisichelli

    (Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park)

  • Michael Burnett

    (Stanford University
    The Nature Conservancy)

  • Glenn Juday

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Scott L. Stephens

    (University of California)

  • Christian Ammer

    (University of Göttingen
    University of Göttingen)

Abstract

The complexity of forest structures plays a crucial role in regulating forest ecosystem functions and strongly influences biodiversity. Yet, knowledge of the global patterns and determinants of forest structural complexity remains scarce. Using a stand structural complexity index based on terrestrial laser scanning, we quantify the structural complexity of boreal, temperate, subtropical and tropical primary forests. We find that the global variation of forest structural complexity is largely explained by annual precipitation and precipitation seasonality (R² = 0.89). Using the structural complexity of primary forests as benchmark, we model the potential structural complexity across biomes and present a global map of the potential structural complexity of the earth´s forest ecoregions. Our analyses reveal distinct latitudinal patterns of forest structure and show that hotspots of high structural complexity coincide with hotspots of plant diversity. Considering the mechanistic underpinnings of forest structural complexity, our results suggest spatially contrasting changes of forest structure with climate change within and across biomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Ehbrecht & Dominik Seidel & Peter Annighöfer & Holger Kreft & Michael Köhler & Delphine Clara Zemp & Klaus Puettmann & Reuben Nilus & Fred Babweteera & Katharina Willim & Melissa Stiers & Danie, 2021. "Global patterns and climatic controls of forest structural complexity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-20767-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20767-z
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    Cited by:

    1. L. Duncanson & M. Liang & V. Leitold & J. Armston & S. M. Krishna Moorthy & R. Dubayah & S. Costedoat & B. J. Enquist & L. Fatoyinbo & S. J. Goetz & M. Gonzalez-Roglich & C. Merow & P. R. Roehrdanz & , 2023. "The effectiveness of global protected areas for climate change mitigation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Diāna Jansone & Roberts Matisons & Viesturs Kārše & Endijs Bāders & Dārta Kaupe & Āris Jansons, 2023. "Structural Heterogeneity of European Beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) Stands at Its Northernmost Limits," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-10, October.
    3. Tetsuo I. Kohyama & Douglas Sheil & I-Fang Sun & Kaoru Niiyama & Eizi Suzuki & Tsutom Hiura & Naoyuki Nishimura & Kazuhiko Hoshizaki & Shu-Hui Wu & Wei-Chun Chao & Zamah S. Nur Hajar & Joeni S. Rahajo, 2023. "Contribution of tree community structure to forest productivity across a thermal gradient in eastern Asia," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.

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