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<p>Leaf age structure strongly regulates canopy photosynthesis in Amazon rainforests yet its large-scale patterns and dynamics remain poorly understood. Here we map the fraction of leaf area of photosynthetically efficient young leaves (<i>f</i><sub>young</sub>) using remote sensing data and assess its spatiotemporal variability from 2001 to 2023. We find that <i>f</i><sub><i>y</i>oung</sub> varies markedly with elevation and canopy height: tall or mountain forests (canopy ≥32 m or elevation ≥300 m) exhibit higher <i>f</i><sub>young</sub> than short or lowland forests, reflecting higher leaf turnover driven by stronger radiation, greater atmospheric dryness and longer dry seasons. Across the basin, <i>f</i><sub>young</sub> increased significantly in 85.2% of forests during 2001–2023, linked to decreasing precipitation, rising sunlight, intensifying atmospheric dryness and lengthening dry seasons. This widespread trend towards more juvenile leaves is projected to persist under future climate change. Our findings reveal a fundamental shift in Amazon leaf age structure and highlight its importance for predicting future photosynthetic responses in a warmer, drier climate.</p>

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Amazon rainforests are rejuvenating their canopies by producing more photosynthetically efficient young leaves under climate change

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月9日

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  • Xueqin Yang,
  • Jie Tian,
  • Philippe Ciais,
  • Liming Zhou,
  • Peter B. Reich,
  • Jin Wu,
  • Jiali Shang,
  • Jérôme Chave,
  • Julien Lamour,
  • Isabelle Maréchaux,
  • Yongshuo H. Fu,
  • Jing Ming Chen,
  • Jane Liu,
  • Shengli Tao,
  • Xiangming Xiao,
  • Xiangtao Xu,
  • Yongxian Su,
  • Haicheng Zhang,
  • Zaichun Zhu,
  • Yao Zhang,
  • Dalei Hao,
  • Lei Chen,
  • Qiang Liu,
  • Raffaele Lafortezza,
  • Kai Yan,
  • Peng Li,
  • Xing Li,
  • Patrick Meir,
  • Hui Liu,
  • Damien Bonal,
  • Bruce W. Nelson,
  • Hao Tang,
  • Jingrui Wang,
  • Kailiang Yu,
  • Wenping Yuan,
  • Shuo Wang,
  • Xiuzhi Chen

摘要

Leaf age structure strongly regulates canopy photosynthesis in Amazon rainforests yet its large-scale patterns and dynamics remain poorly understood. Here we map the fraction of leaf area of photosynthetically efficient young leaves (fyoung) using remote sensing data and assess its spatiotemporal variability from 2001 to 2023. We find that fyoung varies markedly with elevation and canopy height: tall or mountain forests (canopy ≥32 m or elevation ≥300 m) exhibit higher fyoung than short or lowland forests, reflecting higher leaf turnover driven by stronger radiation, greater atmospheric dryness and longer dry seasons. Across the basin, fyoung increased significantly in 85.2% of forests during 2001–2023, linked to decreasing precipitation, rising sunlight, intensifying atmospheric dryness and lengthening dry seasons. This widespread trend towards more juvenile leaves is projected to persist under future climate change. Our findings reveal a fundamental shift in Amazon leaf age structure and highlight its importance for predicting future photosynthetic responses in a warmer, drier climate.