The sensitivity of plant production to precipitation underlies the functioning of ecosystems. Studies that relate long-term mean annual precipitation and production across multiple sites (spatial relationship) or examine interannual linkages within a site (temporal relationship) can reveal biophysical controls over ecosystem function but have limited ability to infer responses to extreme changes in precipitation that may become more common under climate change. To overcome limitations of using a single approach, we integrated satellite- and ground-based estimates of production with a standardized, multi-site precipitation manipulation experiment across a grassland elevation gradient in the southwestern USA. The responsiveness of production to changes in precipitation followed the order: temporal (0.06-0.13gm(-2)mm(-1))
1.US Geol Survey, Southwest Biol Sci Ctr, 2255 N Gemini Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 USA 2.No Arizona Univ, Dept Biol Sci, 617 S Beaver St, Flagstaff, AZ 86011 USA 3.Michigan State Univ, Dept Geog Environm & Spatial Sci, 637 Auditorium Rd, E Lansing, MI 48824 USA 4.Univ Calif Davis, Dept Evolut & Ecol, Storer Hall 2320,One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616 USA
Recommended Citation:
Munson, Seth M.,Bunting, Erin L.,Bradford, John B.,et al. Plant Production Responses to Precipitation Differ Along an Elevation Gradient and Are Enhanced Under Extremes[J]. ECOSYSTEMS,2019-01-01,22(4):699-708