Bidirectional drought‐related canopy dynamics across pantropical forests: a satellite‐based statistical analysis

Droughts cause extreme anomalies in tropical forest growth, but the direction and magnitude of forests response to droughts are still widely debated. Here, we used four satellite-based canopy growth proxies (CGPs), including three optical one passive microwave, situ fluxes observations from eddy covariance (EC) measurements for a retrospective investigation impacts historical on statistical point view. Results indicate two opposite directions drought-related dynamics across pantropical forests. The with higher CGPs is more vulnerable drought stress recovers faster post-drought recovery period. In contrast, lower increases during period declines subsequent period, which beyond general expectation. eddy-covariance flux towers showed that gross primary production latent heat decreased photosynthesis evapotranspiration increased supporting findings satellite observations. Our analysis against climatic factors predicts higher-CGPs tress probably taller bigger canopies responsive shortage water availability caused by drought; while lower-CGPs shorter smaller sunlight tend increase their leaves enhance sunnier days results highlight differences responding stress, worth incorporated Earth system models time-series evaluations.