In this paper we synthesise current knowledge on how global change drivers (e.g., elevated CO2, drought, heatwave, nitrogen deposition, and understudied extremes) affect forest carbon fluxes (CO2 and CH4) and resilience. We identify key knowledge gaps and discuss priorities for future research and monitoring.
Key messages from the paper:
- Forest responses to climate extremes are becoming more complex and less predictable
- Forest dynamics are shaped by interacting global change drivers, making single-driver assessments insufficient for predicting ecosystem responses
- Understanding forest resilience requires long-term observations that capture the dynamic feedbacks among ecophysiological processes, soil biogeochemistry, and disturbance regimes.
The study emerged within the framework of the European COST Action CLEANFOREST, which sees the collaboration of 34 researchers from 30 different institutions in 17 countries.