Tree cover and its heterogeneity in natural ecosystems is linked to large herbivore biomass globally

Lanhui Wang; Joris P.G.M. Cromsigt; Robert Buitenwerf; Erick J. Lundgren; Wang Li; Elisabeth S. Bakker; Jens Christian Svenning

doi:10.1016/j.oneear.2023.10.007

Tree cover and its heterogeneity in natural ecosystems is linked to large herbivore biomass globally

Lanhui Wang^*, Joris P.G.M. Cromsigt, Robert Buitenwerf, Erick J. Lundgren, Wang Li, Elisabeth S. Bakker, Jens Christian Svenning

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Addressing intertwined crises of climate change and biodiversity loss is a pressing global challenge, with trees playing pivotal roles in promoting carbon sequestration and habitat diversity. However, there is a distinct knowledge gap concerning the global drivers shaping tree cover and its heterogeneity, particularly the roles and relative importance of large herbivores and fire compared to climatic and topo-edaphic conditions. Here, we deploy satellite observations of strictly protected areas worldwide to reveal that in regions where vegetation may be in disequilibrium with climate, high biomass of large herbivores, especially browsers, is inversely related to tree cover but positively associated with its spatial heterogeneity. Conversely, fire reduces both tree cover and heterogeneity. These results suggest that top-down megafauna effects on landscape-scale vegetation openness and heterogeneity manifest worldwide. Our finding supports the need to consider megafauna, particularly large herbivores, in ecosystem effects on climate change mitigation and conservation and restoration efforts through trophic rewilding.

Original language	English
Journal	One Earth
Volume	6
Issue	12
Pages (from-to)	1759-1770
Number of pages	12
ISSN	2590-3330
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2023.10.007
Publication status	Published - Dec 2023

Keywords

alternative biome states
fire
landscape heterogeneity
large herbivores
megafauna
rewilding
top-down control
tree cover heterogeneity
trophic cascade
vegetation openness

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10.1016/j.oneear.2023.10.007Licence: CC BY

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title = "Tree cover and its heterogeneity in natural ecosystems is linked to large herbivore biomass globally",

abstract = "Addressing intertwined crises of climate change and biodiversity loss is a pressing global challenge, with trees playing pivotal roles in promoting carbon sequestration and habitat diversity. However, there is a distinct knowledge gap concerning the global drivers shaping tree cover and its heterogeneity, particularly the roles and relative importance of large herbivores and fire compared to climatic and topo-edaphic conditions. Here, we deploy satellite observations of strictly protected areas worldwide to reveal that in regions where vegetation may be in disequilibrium with climate, high biomass of large herbivores, especially browsers, is inversely related to tree cover but positively associated with its spatial heterogeneity. Conversely, fire reduces both tree cover and heterogeneity. These results suggest that top-down megafauna effects on landscape-scale vegetation openness and heterogeneity manifest worldwide. Our finding supports the need to consider megafauna, particularly large herbivores, in ecosystem effects on climate change mitigation and conservation and restoration efforts through trophic rewilding.",

keywords = "alternative biome states, fire, landscape heterogeneity, large herbivores, megafauna, rewilding, top-down control, tree cover heterogeneity, trophic cascade, vegetation openness",

author = "Lanhui Wang and Cromsigt, {Joris P.G.M.} and Robert Buitenwerf and Lundgren, {Erick J.} and Wang Li and Bakker, {Elisabeth S.} and Svenning, {Jens Christian}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023 The Author(s)",

year = "2023",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1016/j.oneear.2023.10.007",

language = "English",

volume = "6",

pages = "1759--1770",

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Tree cover and its heterogeneity in natural ecosystems is linked to large herbivore biomass globally. / Wang, Lanhui; Cromsigt, Joris P.G.M.; Buitenwerf, Robert et al.
In: One Earth, Vol. 6, No. 12, 12.2023, p. 1759-1770.

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Tree cover and its heterogeneity in natural ecosystems is linked to large herbivore biomass globally

AU - Wang, Lanhui

AU - Cromsigt, Joris P.G.M.

AU - Buitenwerf, Robert

AU - Lundgren, Erick J.

AU - Li, Wang

AU - Bakker, Elisabeth S.

AU - Svenning, Jens Christian

PY - 2023/12

Y1 - 2023/12

N2 - Addressing intertwined crises of climate change and biodiversity loss is a pressing global challenge, with trees playing pivotal roles in promoting carbon sequestration and habitat diversity. However, there is a distinct knowledge gap concerning the global drivers shaping tree cover and its heterogeneity, particularly the roles and relative importance of large herbivores and fire compared to climatic and topo-edaphic conditions. Here, we deploy satellite observations of strictly protected areas worldwide to reveal that in regions where vegetation may be in disequilibrium with climate, high biomass of large herbivores, especially browsers, is inversely related to tree cover but positively associated with its spatial heterogeneity. Conversely, fire reduces both tree cover and heterogeneity. These results suggest that top-down megafauna effects on landscape-scale vegetation openness and heterogeneity manifest worldwide. Our finding supports the need to consider megafauna, particularly large herbivores, in ecosystem effects on climate change mitigation and conservation and restoration efforts through trophic rewilding.

AB - Addressing intertwined crises of climate change and biodiversity loss is a pressing global challenge, with trees playing pivotal roles in promoting carbon sequestration and habitat diversity. However, there is a distinct knowledge gap concerning the global drivers shaping tree cover and its heterogeneity, particularly the roles and relative importance of large herbivores and fire compared to climatic and topo-edaphic conditions. Here, we deploy satellite observations of strictly protected areas worldwide to reveal that in regions where vegetation may be in disequilibrium with climate, high biomass of large herbivores, especially browsers, is inversely related to tree cover but positively associated with its spatial heterogeneity. Conversely, fire reduces both tree cover and heterogeneity. These results suggest that top-down megafauna effects on landscape-scale vegetation openness and heterogeneity manifest worldwide. Our finding supports the need to consider megafauna, particularly large herbivores, in ecosystem effects on climate change mitigation and conservation and restoration efforts through trophic rewilding.

KW - alternative biome states

KW - fire

KW - landscape heterogeneity

KW - large herbivores

KW - megafauna

KW - rewilding

KW - top-down control

KW - tree cover heterogeneity

KW - trophic cascade

KW - vegetation openness

U2 - 10.1016/j.oneear.2023.10.007

DO - 10.1016/j.oneear.2023.10.007

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85177068072

SN - 2590-3330

VL - 6

SP - 1759

EP - 1770

JO - One Earth

JF - One Earth

IS - 12

ER -

Tree cover and its heterogeneity in natural ecosystems is linked to large herbivore biomass globally

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Keywords

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