Uppermost global tree elevations are primarily limited by low temperature or insufficient moisture
Xie, Yuyang (Peking University. College of Urban and Environmental Sciences)
Shen, Zehao (Peking University. College of Urban and Environmental Sciences)
Wang, Tao (Chinese Academy of Sciences. Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research)
Malanson, George P. (University of Iowa. Department of Geography)
Peñuelas, Josep (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Wang, Xiaoyi (Chinese Academy of Sciences. Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research)
Chen, Xiangwu (Peking University. College of Urban and Environmental Sciences)
Liang, Eryuan (Chinese Academy of Sciences. Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research)
Liu, Hongyan (Peking University. College of Urban and Environmental Sciences)
Yang, Mingzheng (Peking University. College of Urban and Environmental Sciences)
Ying, Lingxiao (Peking University. College of Urban and Environmental Sciences)
Zhao, Fu (Peking University. College of Urban and Environmental Sciences)
Piao, Shilong (Chinese Academy of Sciences. Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research)

Date:	2024
Abstract:	The impact of anthropogenic global warming has induced significant upward dispersal of trees to higher elevations at alpine treelines. Assessing vertical deviation from current uppermost tree distributions to potential treeline positions is crucial for understanding ecosystem responses to evolving global climate. However, due to data resolution constraints and research scale limitation, comprehending the global pattern of alpine treeline elevations and driving factors remains challenging. This study constructed a comprehensive quasi-observational dataset of uppermost tree distribution across global mountains using Google Earth imagery. Validating the isotherm of mean growing-season air temperature at 6. 6 ± 0. 3°C as the global indicator of thermal treeline, we found that around two-thirds of uppermost tree distribution records significantly deviated from it. Drought conditions constitute the primary driver in 51% of cases, followed by mountain elevation effect which indicates surface heat (27%). Our analyses underscore the multifaceted determinants of global patterns of alpine treeline, explaining divergent treeline responses to climate warming. Moisture, along with temperature and disturbance, plays the most fundamental roles in understanding global variation of alpine treeline elevation and forecasting alpine treeline response to ongoing global warming.
Grants:	Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TED2021-132627B-I00
Note:	Altres ajuts: the CIVP20A6621 grant funded by the Fundación Ramón Areces.
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	Actual treeline elevation ; Growing-season mean temperature ; Moisture ; Mountain elevation effect ; Potential treeline elevation
Published in:	Global change biology, Vol. 30, issue 4 (April 2024) , art. e17260, ISSN 1365-2486

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17260

Available from: 2025-04-30 Postprint

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > CREAF (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Articles > Research articles
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