The Interactive Role of Wind and Water in Functioning of Drylands What Does the Future Hold?

• Published in: Bioscience Vol. 68; no. 9; pp. 670 - 677
• Main Authors: OKIN, GREGORY S., SALA, OSVALDO E., VIVONI, ENRIQUE R., ZHANG, JUNZHE, BHATTACHAN, ABINASH
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.09.2018
• Subjects: Annual variations; Arid lands; Arid zones; botanical composition; climate; Community composition; ecological footprint; Ecological function; ecosystems; Environmental changes; Feedback; habitat connectivity; High temperature; Hydrology; Landscape; landscapes; Nutrient loss; Overview Article; Plant communities; rain; Rainfall; soil; Soil water; temperature; Transport; vegetation; Water resources; Water transport; Wind; runoff; precipitation; deserts; connectivity; wind erosion

Feedback mechanisms between abiotic and biotic processes in dryland ecosystems lead to a strong sensitivity to interannual variations in climate. Under a future regime of higher temperatures but potentially increased rainfall variability, drylands are anticipated to experience changes in wind and wa...