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

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

N1 - Data archiving: no NIOO data

PY - 2023/11/1

Y1 - 2023/11/1

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.

U2 - 10.1016/j.oneear.2023.10.007

DO - 10.1016/j.oneear.2023.10.007

M3 - Article

SN - 2590-3330

JO - One Earth

JF - One Earth

ER -