Tree Recruitment Data from site across Southern Michigan including the University of Michigan Biological Station, Pellston, MI (2022)

As a result of current climate change, flooding events are becoming more frequent and lasting longer, resulting in temporal floods in areas that have not historically experienced this disturbance. One critical aspect of forest dynamics that could be significantly impacted by increasing flooding is tree species recruitment. While adult trees may be able to survive temporary flooding, establishing seedlings with shallow root systems may not. A single flooding event could jeopardize decades of recruitment if seedlings are unable to survive the anaerobic conditions imposed by higher water levels. Despite the potential impact of flooding on forest dynamics, there is little information on seedling recruitment patterns after exposure to flooding. To understand how flooding conditions could possibly be impacting forest recruitment, we conducted a field observational study across seven temperate forests. We gathered data on seedling abundance and diversity in areas with signs of recent flooding, as well as in nearby control (dry) areas. Our results document the adverse effects flooding conditions have on temperate forest recruitment dynamics, providing insights into how tree recruitment might be impacted by shifts in flooding patterns.

受当前气候变化影响，洪涝事件愈发频发且持续时间延长，导致此前从未遭遇过此类洪涝扰动的区域也出现暂时性洪水。日益加剧的洪涝或将显著影响森林动态的关键环节之一：树木幼苗更新。尽管成年树木或可耐受暂时性洪涝，但根系较浅的定植幼苗往往难以存活。若幼苗无法适应高水位带来的厌氧环境，单次洪涝事件便可能破坏数十年的更新成果。尽管洪涝或对森林动态存在潜在影响，但针对洪涝暴露后幼苗更新模式的相关研究仍较为匮乏。为探明洪涝条件如何影响森林更新，我们在7处温带森林中开展了野外观测研究。我们在近期出现洪涝痕迹的样地及周边对照（干旱）样地采集了幼苗丰度与物种多样性数据。研究结果证实了洪涝条件对温带森林更新动态的负面影响，为理解洪涝格局变化如何影响树木更新提供了科学参考。