New Publication: Drivers of Woody Dominance Across Global Drylands

By Lucio Biancari (Universidad de Buenos Aires),Liana Kindermann (Project A01 Future Carbon Storage), Anja Linstädter (Project A01 Future Carbon Storage) et al.

Abstract

Increases in the abundance of woody species have been reported to affect the provisioning of ecosystem services in drylands worldwide. However, it is virtually unknown how multiple biotic and abiotic drivers, such as climate, grazing, and fire, interact to determine woody dominance across global drylands. We conducted a standardized field survey in 304 plots across 25 countries to assess how climatic features, soil properties, grazing, and fire affect woody dominance in dryland rangelands. Precipitation, temperature, and grazing were key determinants of tree and shrub dominance. The effects of grazing were determined not solely by grazing pressure but also by the dominant livestock species. Interactions between soil, climate, and grazing and differences in responses to these factors between trees and shrubs were key to understanding changes in woody dominance. Our findings suggest that projected changes in climate and grazing pressure may increase woody dominance in drylands, altering their structure and functioning.


Reference

Biancari, L., Kindermann, L., Linstädter, A. et al. 2024. Drivers of woody dominance across global drylands. Science Advances, Volume 10 (41), DOI




Image: María Valeria Aramayo. Pilcaniyeu, Argentina.

More CRC News

cover for a website post

One Man’s Terrorist? Mishake Muyongo and the Caprivi African Nationalist Union: David Anderson Gives Lecture at University of Birmingham

Hybrid Event I February 5th, 2025 | 14:00 – 15:30  (CET) David Anderson (Project A02 Past Futures) will give a lecture at the University of ...
Read More »
screenshot of an article in "the namibian"

Green Hydrogen and Namibia’s Future: Insights from Future Rural Africa Scientists Linus Kalvelage and Benedikt Walker

A recent article in The Namibian explores Namibia’s growing role in the global green hydrogen economy, highlighting the country’s major projects and international partnerships. The ...
Read More »
cover for a web post

GSSC Seminar Series: Wildlife, Tsetse and Pathogens – Rewilding Between Disease Eradication and Coexistence in Southwestern Zambia with Léa Lacan

Tue | February 4th, 2025 | 12:00 – 13:30  (CET) Future Rural Africa & ERC Rewilding researcher Lèa Lacan (Project A04 Future Conservation) will present ...
Read More »

CRC-TRR Public Lecture: Sebastian Haug

Mon | February 3rd, 2025 | 16:00 – 17:30  (CET) Unpacking Power Shifts: The Global South, China, and Multilateral Cooperation Dr. Sebastian Haug (German Institute ...
Read More »
cover for a web post

CRC-TRR Future Rural Africa at Northeast Africa Forum, University of Oxford

Hybrid Event I 29 January 2025 I 15:00 – 18:30 (CET) The uncertainties of rural life in Eastern Africa’s underdeveloped arid and semi-arid districts have ...
Read More »
Scroll to Top