Productivity response characteristics of different grasslands to flash drought and their relationship with drought tolerance

Xiaoxu Liu; Xiaomin Liu; Miao Yu; Haiyang Zhao; Zhongyuan Zhu

Ecological Indicators (Feb 2024)

Productivity response characteristics of different grasslands to flash drought and their relationship with drought tolerance

Xiaoxu Liu,
Xiaomin Liu,
Miao Yu,
Haiyang Zhao,
Zhongyuan Zhu

Affiliations

Xiaoxu Liu: Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, 010018 Hohhot, China
Xiaomin Liu: Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, 010018 Hohhot, China; Autonomous Region Collaborative Innovation Center for Integrated Management of Water Resources and Water Environment in the Inner Mongolia Reaches of the Yellow River, Hohhot 010018, China; Corresponding author at: Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, 010018 Hohhot, China.
Miao Yu: Inner Mongolia Water Industry Investment Group Co., LTD, 010020 Hohhot, China
Haiyang Zhao: Inner Mongolia Water Industry Investment Group Co., LTD, 010020 Hohhot, China
Zhongyuan Zhu: Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, 010018 Hohhot, China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 159
p. 111761

Abstract

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Flash droughts have attracted worldwide attention because of their rapid outbreak and extensive influence. However, studies regarding the characteristics and effects of flash droughts in grassland ecosystems are insufficient. In this study, the frequency and intensity characteristics of flash droughts in the Xilinguole Grassland in China were studied. The response characteristics of the productivity of different types of grassland to flash droughts and the relationship between these characteristics and the drought tolerance of grassland were revealed. The results show that (1) flash droughts had the greatest impact on grassland net primary productivity (NPP) and rain use efficiency (RUE) in summer and spring, respectively, with a level of intensity above that of moderate drought. Strong evapotranspiration flash droughts (SEFD) require more attention from decision-makers than heat wave flash droughts (HWFD). A higher frequency and intensity of flash droughts had a greater impact on vegetation. (2) Flash droughts caused moderate negative anomalies in the NPP and RUE indices in more than 90 % of the grasslands. The longest lag time of the NPP response to flash droughts was 2 months, and NPP anomalies were affected by flash droughts for nearly 2 months. RUE was more sensitive to flash droughts than NPP. RUE responded to flash droughts within 10 days, with a decrease of more than 80 % in magnitude, which was 30 % higher than that of the NPP, and the duration of the anomaly was half that of the NPP. (3) Grasslands with a high sensitivity to flash droughts had shorter response durations, fewer abnormalities, better recovery abilities and better drought tolerance. The drought tolerance of grasslands did not increase in association with large NPP and RUE values. Desert grasslands were the most drought tolerant, while meadow grasslands were the least drought tolerant, with the highest risk of flash droughts. This study provides theoretical support for improving the ability of an ecosystem to cope with flash drought risk and scientific grassland management.

Published in Ecological Indicators

ISSN: 1470-160X (Print); 1872-7034 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General): Ecology
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/ecological-indicators

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