The Drought Response of Eastern US Oaks in the Context of Their Declining Abundance

Abstract The oak (Quercus) species of eastern North America are declining in abundance, threatening the many socioecological benefits they provide. We discuss mechanisms responsible for their loss, which rooted prevailing view that oaks drought tolerant. then synthesize previously published data to comprehensively review response strategies US oaks, concluding whether or not tolerant depends firmly on metric success. Although anisohydric strategy sometimes confers a gas exchange and growth advantage, it exposes damaging hydraulic failure, such just as more likely perish during than neighboring species. Consequently, frequency is strong predictor historic patterns although long-term climate fire strongly correlated with declines dominance. oaks’ ability survive may become increasingly difficult drier future.