Tree recruitment from sites 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.