Increased drought effects on the phenology of autumn leaf senescence

Global warming delays the autumn date of foliar senescence (DFS) in recent decades, with positive implications for growing season length and therefore global carbon storage. However, warming-associated drought, leading to water limitation, may conversely stimulate earlier DFS. Using ground observations since 1940s 34 years satellite greenness data (1982‒2015) over Northern Hemisphere (>30° N), we show increased impact drought on Earlier DFS is linked decreased precipitation under weaker resistance associated various plant functional traits. For example, isohydric plants strict regulation status drop leaves fast during droughts. We derive an improved set phenology models based this influence project by end century, particularly at high latitudes (>50° N). Our results limit uncertainties later growth warming, aiding estimation uptake terrestrial ecosystems. The authors use long-term reveal (DFS). They link impacts changes traits latitudes.