Amazon forest resistance to drought is increased by diversity in hydraulic traits

Abstract

Abstract The unique biodiversity and vast carbon stocks of the Amazon rainforests are essential to the Earth System but are threatened by future water balance changes. Empirical evidence suggests that species and trait diversity may mediate forest drought responses, yet little evidence exists for tropical forest responses. In this simulation study, we identify key axes of trait variation and quantify the extent to which functional trait diversity increases tropical forests’ drought resistance. Using a vegetation model capable of simulating observed tropical forest drought responses and trait diversity, we identify emergent trade-offs between water-related traits (hereafter hydraulic traits) as a key axis of variation. Our simulations reveal that higher functional trait diversity reduces site-scale biomass loss during sudden catastrophic drought, i.e., a 50% precipitation reduction for four and seven years, by 17% and 32%, respectively, and continental-scale biomass loss due to severe chronic climate change-associated precipitation reductions, i.e., RCP8.5, constant CO2 at 380 ppm, and a 50% precipitation reduction over 100 years, by 34%. Additionally, we find that functional trait diversity-mediated biomass resistance is stronger under more severe drought conditions. These findings quantify the essential role of hydraulic-trait diversity in enhancing tropical forest drought resistance and highlight the critical linkages between biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.