C4 grasses may outcompete CAM plants under increased rainfall variability

Both climate modelling and empirical studies suggest that rainfall events are becoming more extreme globally even though the total amount of rainfall remains relatively unchanged. The increase in rainfall variability has significant impacts on community dynamics, ecosystem structure and functioning especially in drylands where plant growth is primarily constrained by water availability. Plants  with Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) are increasing their abundance in many dryland ecosystems worldwide, while the mechanisms underlying it remain unclear.

Author(s): Heng Huang

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