Climate and landscape drivers of tree decline in a Mediterranean ecoregion. Issue 1 (5th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brouwers, Niels C.; Mercer, Jack; Lyons, Tom; Poot, Pieter; Veneklaas, Erik; Hardy, Giles
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 3:Issue 1(2013:Jan.)
• Page Start: 67
• Page End: 79
• Publication Date: 2012-12-05
• Subjects: Climate change -- die‐off -- dieback -- Eucalyptus wandoo -- forest canopy health -- fragmentation -- southwest Western Australia -- tree crown health; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.437
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: Climate change and anthropogenic land use are increasingly affecting the resilience of natural ecosystems. In Mediterranean ecoregions, forests and woodlands have shown progressive declines in health. This study focuses on the decline of an endemic woodland tree species, Eucalyptus wandoo (wandoo), occurring in the biodiversity hotspot of southwest Western Australia. We determined the change in health of wandoo stands between 2002 and 2008 across its geographic and climatic range, and associated this change in health with non‐biotic variables focusing on: (1) fragment metrics; (2) topography; (3) soil characteristics; and (4) climate. Only fragment metrics and climate variables were found to be significantly related to the observed change in health. Stands that were small with high perimeter/area ratios were found to be most sensitive to health declines. Recent increases in autumn temperatures and decreases in annual rainfall were negatively affecting health of wandoo most prominently in the low rainfall zone of its climatic range. Together, these results suggest the onset of range contraction for this ecologically important species, which is likely to be exacerbated by projected future changes in climate. Our results emphasize the importance of establishing monitoring programs to identify changes in health and decline trends early to inform management strategies, particularly in the sensitive Mediterranean ecoregions. Abstract : This research shows the negative impact of climate change on the health of an endemic tree species in the fragmented landscape of Southwest Western Australia. The climatic trend of increasing temperatures and decreasing rainfall in this Mediterranean ecoregion is likely to affect species more broadly, indicating the need for monitoring and conservation management.