Dynamics of Carbon Accumulation in Tropical Dry Forests under Climate Change Extremes

We analyze here how much carbon is being accumulated annually by secondary tropical dry forests (TDFs) and structure, composition, time since abandonment, climate can influence the dynamics of forest accumulation. The study was carried out in Santa Rosa National Park Guanacaste province, Costa Rica Mata Seca State Minas Gerais, Brazil. Total storage accumulation were obtained for both sites from sum aboveground belowground gain plus annual litterfall. Carbon these TDFs varied 2.6 Mg C ha−1 y−1 to 6.3 y−1, depending on age stands. Time abandonment number stems per plot best predictors storage, gains, losses. Mortality rates losses also associated with seasonal variability. found significant correlations between tree mortality, mean temperature, precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, Oceanic Niño Index. are driven structure; however, rising temperature El Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events have a impact mortality Depending their location land-use history, some more impacted climatic extremes than others, differences stages expected.