Continuous abrupt vegetation shifts in the global terrestrial ecosystem

Previous studies have primarily focused on single abrupt shifts, yet the
actual ecosystem will experience continuous abrupt shifts (CAS), including
Different Directions Shifts (DDS) and Same Directions Shifts (SDS). The
patterns and drivers of these CAS remain unclear. We examined the patterns
of the DDS and SDS by two vegetation datasets, then tested climate drivers
comprising atmospheric temperature (MAT), atmospheric precipitation (MAP),
soil temperature (ST), and soil water content (SW), and finally hysteresis
effects were examined with reference to principal drivers. The results
demonstrate that the DDS and SDS varied across climatic regions.
The ST, SW, MAT, and MAP were primary drivers of the DDS, while the MAT
and MAP were primary drivers of the SDS. Furthermore, the existence of
hysteresis effects were validated via the DDS. This study presents the
widespread occurrence of the CAS and the divergent roles of climate change
on the DDS and SDS globally.