Work

Carbon–Water Coupling in Forest Ecosystems Under Climate Change: Advances in Water Use Efficiency and Sustainability Perspectives

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Climate change is reshaping how forests balance carbon uptake and water loss. This review aims to clarify how climate change alters forest carbon–water coupling. Using water-use efficiency (WUE) as a unifying lens, we synthesize mechanisms from leaves to ecosystems and evaluate evidence from studies screened in 2000–2025 spanning eddy covariance, tree-ring isotopes, remote sensing and models. Globally, tree-ring data indicate ~40% intrinsic WUE increases since 1901, yet ecosystem-scale gains are usually <20% after accounting for mesophyll conductance. Under drought, heat and high vapor-pressure deficit, photosynthesis declines more than evapotranspiration, producing partial carbon–water decoupling and lower WUEe. Responses vary with hydraulic traits, forest type/age and site water balance, with notable tropical data gaps. We identify when WUE gains translate into true resilience: stomatal regulation and canopy structure jointly maintain GPP, prevent hydraulic failure and ensure post-event recovery. Management options include thinning, species/provenance choice, mixed stands and adaptive rotations to balance carbon storage with water yield. Key uncertainties stem from sparse long-term observations, tropical satellite biases and models that overestimate WUE or underplay extremes. We recommend integrating multi-source, multi-scale data with interpretable hybrid models, expanding tropical networks and strengthening MRV frameworks to support risk-aware, climate-smart forestry.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su17219501

Authors: Xiongwei Liang, Xue Cong, Baolong Du, Yongfu Ju, Yingning Wang, Dan Li

Institutions: Harbin University, Harbin Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896