Forests growing under dry conditions have higher hydrological resilience to drought than do more humid forests

• DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13551
• Publication Date: 2016-11-03T13:43:00Z
• Authors: David Helman; Itamar M. Lensky; Dan Yakir; Yagil Osem
• Keywords: Resilience

More frequent and intense droughts are projected during the next century, potentially changing hydrological balances in many forested catchments. Although impacts of on forest functionality have been vastly studied, little attention has given to studying effect hydrology. Here, we use Budyko framework two recently introduced metrics (deviation elasticity) study changes water yields (rainfall minus evapotranspiration) catchments following a climatic drought (2006-2010) pine forests distributed along rainfall gradient (P = 280-820 mm yr-1 ) Eastern Mediterranean (aridity factor 0.17-0.56). We satellite-based model meteorological information calculate metrics. The relative yield ranged from 48% 8% (from rainfall) humid dry was mainly associated with amount (increasing increased amount) bedrock type (higher hard bedrocks). Forest elasticity larger growing under drier conditions, implying that more predictable responses drought, according framework, compared conditions. In this context, younger were shown elastic than older forests. Dynamic deviation, which is defined as departure curve, positive all (i.e., less-than-expected Budyko's curve), increasing severity, suggesting lower resistance suffering reductions. However, dynamic deviation significantly decreased experienced relatively cooler conditions period. Our results suggest permanent might develop range eco-physiological adjustments leading higher resilience. context predicted climate change, such key factors sustaining water-limited regions.