Impacts of Extreme Climates on Vegetation at Middle-to-High Latitudes in Asia

In this study, we investigated the synchronous responses of vegetation to extreme temperatures and/or precipitation at middle-to-high latitudes in Asia using semi-monthly observations of the GIMMS and GLASS leaf area index (LAI) from 1982 to 2016. The extreme vegetation and climate states were specified using standard anomalies of the annual cycle with removed variables. The results show that the area with the maximum or minimum LAI increased or decreased in correspondence with global warming. Both the GIMMS and GLASS LAI mostly reached their maximum in spring and autumn. The GIMMS LAI mostly reached its minimum in summer, while the GLASS LAI mostly reached its minimum in late spring or late summer. The GIMMS and GLASS datasets were generally consistent regarding the vegetation responses to extreme temperatures and precipitation, especially in the areas covered by trees. Extreme cold and/or wet conditions inhibited forest growth in the area south of 60 degrees N, particularly from October to November. Extreme hot and/or dry conditions promoted forest growth, particularly in the central and northern parts of Siberia from August to September. However, in some arid areas of Central Asia and the Mongolian Highlands, which are mostly covered by sparse vegetation and grasses, low temperature extremes and/or strong precipitation promoted vegetation growth, while high temperature extremes and/or low precipitation had adverse effects on vegetation growth. This was more apparent in the GIMMS LAI than it was in the GLASS LAI, since the GIMMS dataset supplied more values representing extreme states of vegetation. The compound extreme of hot-and-dry and cold-and-wet climates were more frequent than the combination of cold and dry climates and hot-and-wet climates were. The overall positive response of the vegetation was superior to the negative response. The results of this study suggest that a continuous increase in vegetation density and coverage will occur over the boreal region in the future if the warming trend persists. The consequent climate feedback in this area on the regional and global scales should be afforded more attention.

Automated summary

This study investigated the synchronous responses of vegetation to extreme temperatures and precipitation in middle-to-high latitudes in Asia. The results revealed that areas with maximum or minimum leaf area index (LAI) expanded or contracted with global warming. Both GIMMS and GLASS LAI peaked in spring and autumn, while reaching their respective minimums in different seasons. The datasets were consistent in showing how vegetation responds to extreme climate conditions, particularly in tree-covered areas.