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The Topographic Signature of Ecosystem Climate Sensitivity in the Western United States
Author(s) -
Hoylman Zachary H.,
Jencso Kelsey G.,
Hu Jia,
Holden Zachary A.,
Allred Brady,
Dobrowski Solomon,
Robinson Nathaniel,
Martin Justin T.,
Affleck David,
Seielstad Carl
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2019gl085546
Subject(s) - ecosystem , deserts and xeric shrublands , environmental science , productivity , climate change , spatial variability , terrestrial ecosystem , physical geography , precipitation , ecology , climatology , geography , geology , habitat , biology , mathematics , statistics , meteorology , economics , macroeconomics
It has been suggested that hillslope topography can produce hydrologic refugia, sites where ecosystem productivity is relatively insensitive to climate variation. However, the ecological impacts and spatial distribution of these sites are poorly resolved across gradients in climate. We quantified the response of ecosystem net primary productivity to changes in the annual climatic water balance for 30 years using pixel‐specific linear regression (30‐m resolution) across the western United States. The standardized slopes of these models represent ecosystem climate sensitivity and provide a means to identify drought‐resistant ecosystems. Productive and resistant ecosystems were most frequent in convergent hillslope positions, especially in semiarid climates. Ecosystems in divergent positions were moderately resistant to climate variability, but less productive relative to convergent positions. This topographic effect was significantly dampened in hygric and xeric climates. In aggregate, spatial patterns of ecosystem sensitivity can be implemented for regional planning to maximize conservation in landscapes more resistant to perturbations.