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Table 2 List of tree- or ecosystem-level parameters included in this synthesis and summary results from the existing knowledge under experimental droughts, seasonal droughts or extreme drought events

From: The response of tropical rainforests to drought—lessons from recent research and future prospects

Parameter

Summary results from

Experimental drought

Seasonal drought

Extreme drought

Mortality

Increase (especially large trees)

 

Increase (especially large trees)

Tree growth

Large trees and high-growth rate trees negatively impacted

Decrease likely due to change in C allocation

Reduced or even suppressed

Net ecosystem exchange

 

Contrasted patterns

Higher C uptake

Gross primary productivity

 

Moderate decrease

Moderate decrease

Ecosystem respiration

 

Moderate decrease

Strong decrease

Fluxes of greenhouse gases other than CO2

 

Decrease (but very few information)

 

Carbon balance

 

Contrasted patterns

Negate the positive fertilization effect of atmospheric CO2

Transpiration

Decrease through regulation of stomatal conductance

Decrease through regulation of stomatal conductance

 

Shifts in species composition

Variability in mortality rates within phylogeny

 

Shift to more xeric forest types

Increase in lianas?

Phenology/litterfall/LAI

Slight decline in litterfall

Leaf renewal driven by solar radiation

Decrease in LAI

Remote sensing approaches

 

Green-up in dry season when water is not limited

Contrasted patterns

Fire events

  

Increase (especially in logged and disturbed forests)