‘Fading of the temperature‐growth coupling’ in treeline trees reflects a conceptual bias
Christian Körner
Abstract
The global treeline phenomenon follows a common seasonal mean temperature (isotherm) of about 6°C. When the isotherm moves upslope because of rapid climatic warming, trees are left behind and are absent from the climatic tree limit. This commentary recalls the discrepancy between the actual uppermost position of trees and the potential (climatic) treeline. Temperature-based models can predict the potential treeline only (comment to Camarero et al., Global Change Biology, 27, 1879-1889, 2021). The photograph shows a treeline situation in SW New Zealand.
Topics & Concepts
Climate changeEnvironmental scienceGlobal warmingClimatologyEcologyGlobal changeGeneral Circulation ModelAtmospheric sciencesPhysical geographyGeologyGeographyBiologyTree-ring climate responsesPlant Water Relations and Carbon DynamicsClimate variability and models