Interannual dynamics of stemwood nonstructural carbohydrates in temperate forest trees surrounding drought

Abstract Interactions between water and carbon dynamics underlie drought-related tree mortality. While whole-tree relations have been shown to play a key role in the response recovery from drought, of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) how their storage allocation changes surrounding drought events deserves further attention is critical for understanding survival. Here, we quantified situ NSC responses temperate forest trees 2016 northeastern United States. Sugar starch concentrations were measured stemwood five species 2014 2019, which allowed us monitor NSCs relation climatic conditions before, during, after natural drought. We found that immediately following decreased. However, rebounded quickly within three years. Notably, allocated proportionally more than sugars In winter 2017, comprised 45% total stores, whereas made up only 1–2% other Further, modeled assessed drivers stem. Variation was significantly predicted by previous year’s temperature, precipitation, standardized precipitation-evapotranspiration index (SPEI), with decreasing hotter, drier periods increasing cooler, wetter periods. Overall, our work provides insight into highlights important tree’s economy may its environmental stress.