Long-term integrated studies show complex and surprising effects of climate change in the northern hardwood forest

Peter M. Groffman, Lindsey E. Rustad, Pamela H. Templer, John L. Campbell, Lynn M. Christenson, Nina K. Lany, Anne M. Socci, Matthew A. Vadeboncoeur, Paul G. Schaberg, Geoffrey F. Wilson, Charles T. Driscoll, Timothy J. Fahey, Melany C. Fisk, Christine L. Goodale, Mark B. Green, Steven P. Hamburg, Chris E. Johnson, Myron J. Mitchell, Jennifer L. Morse, Linda H. PardoNicholas L. Rodenhouse

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

104 Scopus citations

Abstract

Evaluations of the local effects of global change are often confounded by the interactions of natural and anthropogenic factors that overshadow the effects of climate changes on ecosystems. Long-term watershed and natural elevation gradient studies at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest and in the surrounding region show surprising results demonstrating the effects of climate change on hydrologic variables (e.g., evapotranspiration, streamflow, soil moisture); the importance of changes in phenology on water, carbon, and nitrogen fluxes during critical seasonal transition periods; winter climate change effects on plant and animal community composition and ecosystem services; and the effects of anthropogenic disturbances and land-use history on plant community composition. These studies highlight the value of long-term integrated research for assessments of the subtle effects of changing climate on complex ecosystems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1056-1066
Number of pages11
JournalBioScience
Volume62
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2012

Keywords

  • climate change
  • forests
  • long-term studies
  • northeastern United States
  • winter

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Long-term integrated studies show complex and surprising effects of climate change in the northern hardwood forest'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this