Satellite evidence of canopy-height dependence of forest drought resistance in southwestern China

Abstract The frequency and intensity of drought events are increasing with warming climate, which has resulted in worldwide forest mortality. Previous studies have reached a general consensus on the size-dependency resistance to drought, but further understanding at local scale remains ambiguous conflicting evidence. In this study, we assessed impact canopy height broadleaf deciduous southwestern China for 2010 extreme event using linear regression random (RF) model. Drought condition was quantified standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) measured ratio normalized difference vegetation during (i.e. 2010) before 2009) drought. At regional found that (a) taller canopies (30 m up) declined drastically more than lower under (SPEI < −2); (b) RF model showed importance increased from 17.08% 20.05% increase intensities no Our results suggest structure plays significant role broad range implications modeling resource management.