What the study found
The study found a biome-dependent convergence in leaf longevity across pantropical moist forests under climate change. In the Amazon and tropical Asia, where leaf longevity is longer, it decreased; in Congo and subtropical Asia, where leaf longevity is shorter, it increased.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say this convergence is associated with maximization of plant functional traits, photosynthesis, and species evenness, which they expect to better resist climate variability. The findings indicate emerging large-scale structural and functional adaptations across pantropical moist forests and may help predict climate-driven risks to ecosystem stability.
What the researchers tested
The researchers combined ground measurements with gridded leaf age-dependent leaf area index data. They mapped continental-scale variability in annual mean leaf longevity across pantropical moist forests from 2001 to 2023.
What worked and what didn't
The analysis showed that rising temperature and intensified atmospheric dryness were linked to decreasing leaf longevity in Amazon and tropical Asia. In Congo and subtropical Asia, leaf longevity increased, and the overall pattern was a convergence from short and long longevity toward a middle range.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed limitations beyond the study's focus on pantropical moist forests and the 2001-2023 period. Any broader applicability outside this biome or timeframe is not stated in the available summary.
Key points
- Leaf longevity across pantropical moist forests is converging toward a middle range.
- Long-lived forests in Amazon and tropical Asia showed decreasing leaf longevity.
- Short-lived forests in Congo and subtropical Asia showed increasing leaf longevity.
- The authors link the decreases to rising temperature and intensified atmospheric dryness.
- The study used ground measurements and gridded leaf age-dependent leaf area index data from 2001-2023.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Pantropical forest leaf longevity is converging toward a middle range
- Authors:
- Meimei Xue, Xueqin Yang, Xiuzhi Chen, Philippe Ciais, liming zhou, Peter B. Reich, Jingfeng Xiao, Xing Li, Xiangming Xiao, Julia K. Green, Jing Ming Chen, Jane Liu, Jiali Shang, Xiangzhong Luo, Jie Tian, Hui Liu, Peng Zhu, Kai Yan, Xinyue Fu, Liusheng Han, Wenping Yuan, Chaoyang Wu
- Institutions:
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Albany State University, CEA Paris-Saclay, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, National University of Singapore, Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Peking University, Shandong University of Technology, South China Botanical Garden, State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Université Paris-Saclay, University at Albany, State University of New York, University of Arizona, University of Hong Kong, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, University of New Hampshire, University of Oklahoma, University of Toronto, University of Toronto
- Publication date:
- 2026-01-29
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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