Title
Bioclimatic envelope models predict a decrease of tropical forest carbon stocks with climate change in Madagascar.
Author(s)
Vieilledent, G.;Gardi, O.;Grinand, C.;Burren, C.;Andriamanjato, M.;Camara, C.;Gardner, C.J.;Glass, L.;Rasolohery, A.;Rakoto Ratsimba, H.;Gond, V.;Rakotoarijaona, J.R.
Published
2016
Publisher
Journal of Ecology
Abstract
1. Recent studies have underlined the importance of climatic variables in determining 3 tree height and biomass in tropical forests. Nonetheless, the effects of climate on 4 tropical forest carbon stocks remain uncertain. In particular, the application of 5 process-based dynamic global vegetation models have led to contrasting conclusions 6 regarding the potential impact of climate change on tropical forest carbon storage.
2. Using a correlative approach based on a bioclimatic envelope model and data 8 from 1771 forest plots inventoried during the period 1996-2013 in Madagascar over a 9 large climatic gradient, we show that temperature seasonality, annual precipitation 10 and mean annual temperature are key variables in determining forest aboveground 11 carbon density.
3. Taking into account the explicative climate variables, we obtained an accurate (R2 = 71% and RMSE = 41 Mg.ha−1 13 ) forest carbon map for Madagascar at 250 m 14 resolution for the year 2010. This national map was more accurate than previously published global carbon maps (R2 ≤ 26% and RMSE ≥ 65 Mg.ha−1 15 ).
4. Combining our model with the climatic projections for Madagascar from seven 17 IPCC CMIP5 global climate models following the RCP 8.5, we forecast an average 18 forest carbon stock loss of 17% (range: 7-24%) by the year 2080. For comparison, a 19 spatially homogeneous deforestation of 0.5% per year on the same period would lead 20 to a loss of 29% of the forest carbon stock.
Synthesis: Our study shows that climate change is likely to induce a decrease of 22 tropical forest carbon stocks. This loss could be due to a decrease in the average 23 tree size and to shifts in tree species distribution, with the selection of small-statured 24 species. In Madagascar, climate-induced carbon emissions might be, at least, of the 25 same order of magnitude as emissions associated to anthropogenic deforestation.
Keywords
carbon storage;climate change;deforestation;Madagascar;MODIS;REDD+;tree height;tropical forest;species shifting
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the WCS Library to request.
![]()
Back
PUB19304