Progressive forest canopy water loss during the 2012–2015 California drought

Title
Progressive forest canopy water loss during the 2012–2015 California drought
Abstract
The 2012–2015 drought has left California with severely reduced
snowpack, soil moisture, ground water, and reservoir stocks, but
the impact of this estimated millennial-scale event on forest health
is unknown. We used airborne laser-guided spectroscopy and satellite-
based models to assess losses in canopy water content of California’s
forests between 2011 and 2015. Approximately 10.6 million ha
of forest containing up to 888 million large trees experienced measurable
loss in canopy water content during this drought period. Severe
canopy water losses of greater than 30% occurred over 1 million ha,
affecting up to 58 million large trees. Our measurements exclude
forests affected by fire between 2011 and 2015. If drought conditions
continue or reoccur, even with temporary reprieves such as El Niño,
we predict substantial future forest change.
Purpose
To assess losses in canopy water content of California’s forests between 2011 and 2015
Begin Date
2015-11-30
End Date
2015-11-30
Originator Name
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Links
www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1523397113 PNAS
Access Limitations
No Restrictions
Keywords
Atmosphere & Climate, Canopy, Canopy Density, Forest, Forest Conservation, Forest history
Limits on Use
No Restrictions
Progress
Complete
Resource Type
Document
Update Frequency
Unknown
Resource Owner
Paul LackovicWebsite

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