Forest ecosystems in tropical, subtropical, and semi-arid regions face heightened risks of tree mortality due to various natural and human-induced disturbances such as prolonged droughts, extreme weather events, pest outbreaks, and diseases. These ecosystems, often underrepresented in global research, play critical roles in biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and the livelihoods of millions. Their degradation can lead to significant losses in ecosystem services, which makes understanding the causes and mechanisms of forest dieback in these regions especially urgent.
This session invites contributions exploring forest vulnerability to disturbances in tropical, subtropical, and semi-arid regions, focusing on observed impacts and predictive models. We aim to cover a broad range of topics, from local to global scales, to foster a deeper understanding of the pressures on these crucial ecosystems and how to manage their resilience.
Topics of Interest:
- Mapping and predicting tree mortality and dieback phenomena in underrepresented regions under global climate change.
- The effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on forest health, growth, and mortality, particularly in tropical and semi-arid regions.
- Attribution of excess tree mortality to climate change or climate extremes.
- Quantification of excess tree mortality (as opposed to background / average mortality).
- Vulnerability of old-growth forests and other critical habitats to environmental stressors.
- Multidisciplinary approaches for studying tree mortality and forest vulnerability across scales with a focus on data-scarce regions
- Evaluating forest resistance and resilience in drought-prone areas of the tropics and subtropics.
- Interdisciplinary research integrating ecological, economic, and social factors in forest management.
- Assessing the effectiveness of adaptive management strategies in improving forest health and reducing vulnerability.
- Tools and methods for decision support and adaptive management in forestry, particularly in regions facing extreme climatic conditions.
This session aims to bridge gaps in research on forest mortality in underrepresented regions, providing a platform for sharing new insights and strategies for enhancing forest resilience under the pressures of climate change. We welcome research that leverages data and techniques from satellite/aerial/proximal remote sensing and field ecology.