The effect of tree decline over soil water content largely controls soil respiration dynamics in a Mediterranean woodland

As drought-induced tree defoliation and mortality (i.e. decline) in the Mediterranean is expected to worsen with ongoing climate change, it of paramount importance understand how, why, when decline affects soil respiration (Rs). We carried out a novel study exploring interacting effects climatic variability season year) on water content (SWC), temperature (Tsoil), Rs temporal holm oak woodland. The further explores main controls at stand scale plant variables, SWC, Tsoil, physicochemical variables). monitored Rs, SWC under canopy 30 trees different degrees (healthy, affected, dead) during two years contrasting precipitation patterns. estimated structural variables (e.g. height, diameter) those selected whose canopies we also collected samples analyze variables. Our provides, up our knowledge, first observational situ) evidence that might decrease positive response increased drying-rewetting cycles. It suggests can significantly increase but largely depending declining stage, year, season. Finally, affected relative drivers both Tsoil gaining as defoliate die. Altogether, results point towards negative impact carbon (C) cycling, particularly forecasted change scenarios dryer more intense regimes.