Widespread Increase of Tree Mortality Rates in the Western United States
United States Geological Survey · University of British Columbia · +5 more institutions
Abstract
Persistent changes in tree mortality rates can alter forest structure, composition, and ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration. Our analyses of longitudinal data from unmanaged old forests in the western United States showed that background (noncatastrophic) mortality rates have increased rapidly in recent decades, with doubling periods ranging from 17 to 29 years among regions. Increases were also pervasive across elevations, tree sizes, dominant genera, and past fire histories. Forest density and basal area declined slightly, which suggests that increasing mortality was not caused by endogenous increases in competition. Because mortality increased in small trees, the overall increase in mortality…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 88.97
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 27
Authors
11- PJPhillip J. van MantgemCorresponding
United States Geological Survey, University of British Columbia, University of Washington, Northern Arizona University, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Western Ecological Research Center
- NLNathan L. Stephenson
United States Geological Survey, University of British Columbia, University of Washington, Northern Arizona University, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Western Ecological Research Center
- JCJohn C. Byrne
United States Geological Survey, University of British Columbia, University of Washington, Northern Arizona University, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Western Ecological Research Center
- LDLori D. Daniels
United States Geological Survey, University of British Columbia, University of Washington, Northern Arizona University, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Western Ecological Research Center
- JFJerry F. Franklin
United States Geological Survey, University of British Columbia, University of Washington, Northern Arizona University, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Western Ecological Research Center
Topics & keywords
- Basal area
- Mortality rate
- Competition (biology)
- Ecosystem
- Climate change
- Geography
- Forest structure
- Ecology
- Good health and well-being