Savannization of dry tropical forest increases carbon flux relative to storage

Abstract

A study of dry tropical forest and savanna derived from it suggests that, although carbon stored in the savanna vegetation was less than half of that in the forest, carbon input through net primary production was similar. The savanna, drawing upon biodiversity resources, was able to maintain the same level of ecosystem productivity as the forest through species replacement. Belowground parts contributed more to carbon storage and flux in savanna than in forest, but carbon stored in soil remained far lower in savanna. Our studies indicate that conversion of dry tropical forest into savanna increases carbon flux relative to storage. This has implications for global carbon budget studies.