Tropical Forest Microclimatic Changes: Hurricane, Drought, and 15–20 Year Climate Trend Effects on Elevational Gradient Temperature and Moisture

Author:

Van Beusekom Ashley E.1,González Grizelle1ORCID,Rivera María M.1

Affiliation:

1. USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry, 1201 Calle Ceiba Jardín Botánico Sur, San Juan, PR 00926-119, USA

Abstract

The effects of hurricanes Irma and Maria and a severe drought on the temperature, precipitation, and soil moisture (under canopy and in the open) were calculated at 22 sites from 0–1045 m in northeastern Puerto Rico from 2001–2021, against the background short-term trend. Median and minimum air temperatures increased uniformly across the elevational gradient, 1.6 times as fast in the air under the canopy (+0.08 °C/yr) and 2.2 times as fast in the soil under the canopy (+0.11 °C/yr) as for air temperature in the open. There were no substantial moisture trends (average decrease <0.01 mm/yr). The peak effect of the hurricanes on under-canopy air temperature was the same as under-canopy soil temperature at 1000 m (+3, 0.7, 0.4 °C for maximum, median, minimum) but air maximum and minimum temperature peak effects were twice as high at 0 m (and soil temperatures stayed constant). Soil temperature hurricane recovery took longer at higher elevations. The peak effect of the hurricanes and the drought on the soil moisture was the same (but in opposite directions, ±0%), except for the wettest months where drought peak effect was larger and increasing with elevation. Differing patterns with elevation indicate different ecosystem stresses.

Funder

National Science Foundation

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Forestry

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