There are large uncertainties regarding the response of tropical forests to expected elevated temperatures and stronger droughts over the 21st Century as the climate system continues to warm. In particular, what suite of plant traits will confer resistance to these increasingly stressful conditions is not well understood. The negative effects of rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns on plant production are expected to become more acute, leading to reductions in tropical forest carbon assimilation and storage.
Results/Conclusions
This talk will focus on recent advances in our understanding of drought and temperature responses of tropical trees, and discuss several field research activities needed to advance Earth system model (ESM) treatment of the underlying mechanisms. Research activities in the Central Amazon conducted during the strong 2015-2016 El Niño Southern Oscillation event will highlight a number of key ecophysiological responses. Tree species community composition and forest structural responses will also be explored.