Ecological thresholds at the savanna‐forest boundary: how plant traits, resources and fire govern the distribution of tropical biomes
Fire shapes the distribution of savanna and forest through complex interactions involving
climate, resources and species traits. Based on data from central Brazil, we propose that …
climate, resources and species traits. Based on data from central Brazil, we propose that …
Tamm Review: Shifting global fire regimes: Lessons from reburns and research needs
Across the globe, rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns have caused
persistent regional droughts, lengthened fire seasons, and increased the number of weather …
persistent regional droughts, lengthened fire seasons, and increased the number of weather …
Where tree planting and forest expansion are bad for biodiversity and ecosystem services
Misperceptions about the world's grassy biomes contribute to their alarming rates of loss due
to conversion for agriculture and tree plantations, as well as to forest encroachment. To …
to conversion for agriculture and tree plantations, as well as to forest encroachment. To …
Many shades of green: the dynamic tropical forest–savannah transition zones
The forest–savannah transition is the most widespread ecotone in tropical areas, separating
two of the most productive terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we review current understanding of …
two of the most productive terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we review current understanding of …
Evidence for adaptation to fire regimes in the tropical savannas of the Brazilian Cerrado
A recent controversy concerns whether plant traits that are assumed to be adaptations to fire
originally evolved in response to selective factors other than fire. We contribute to this …
originally evolved in response to selective factors other than fire. We contribute to this …
Alternative biome states in terrestrial ecosystems
There is growing interest in the application of alternative stable state (ASS) theory to explain
major vegetation patterns of the world. Here, we introduce the theory as applied to the …
major vegetation patterns of the world. Here, we introduce the theory as applied to the …
Extensive 21st‐century woody encroachment in South America's savanna
Woody encroachment is occurring in all tropical savannas of the world. However, in the
Brazilian savanna (the Cerrado), the extent of this phenomenon is still poorly documented …
Brazilian savanna (the Cerrado), the extent of this phenomenon is still poorly documented …
Can savannas become forests? A coupled analysis of nutrient stocks and fire thresholds in central Brazil
Aims The effects of fire ensure that large areas of the seasonal tropics are maintained as
savannas. The advance of forests into these areas depends on shifts in species composition …
savannas. The advance of forests into these areas depends on shifts in species composition …
[HTML][HTML] Protecting forests at the expense of native grasslands: Land-use policy encourages open-habitat loss in the Brazilian cerrado biome
The agricultural conversion of natural habitats is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss
worldwide. In the∼ 2 million km 2 Brazilian cerrado biome, a global biodiversity hotspot …
worldwide. In the∼ 2 million km 2 Brazilian cerrado biome, a global biodiversity hotspot …
Cerrado vegetation and global change: the role of functional types, resource availability and disturbance in regulating plant community responses to rising CO2 levels …
The cerrado is the most extensive savanna ecosystem of South America and a biodiversity
hotspot, harboring a diverse flora (> 7,000 species) with high levels of endemism. More than …
hotspot, harboring a diverse flora (> 7,000 species) with high levels of endemism. More than …