Global climate regulates dimensions of terrestrial ecosystem stability

Abstract

Ecosystem stability represents the ability of the ecosystem to maintain and restore its functions. The indicators of ecosystem stability include temporal stability, resistance, and resilience, which are crucial parameters to predict the basic functions of the earth under global change. However, the correlation between the indicators of ecosystem stability and the dimensions of ecosystem stability at global scale remains unclear. Here, we quantified the global dimensions of ecosystem stability using moderate resolution imaging spectrometer (MODIS) enhanced vegetation index (EVI) data from 2001 to 2018 as well as climate variables and land standard species richness data. We revealed a strong positive correlation between temporal stability and resistance and no correlation between resistance and resilience at global scale. The dimension of ecosystem stability changed along the gradients of latitude or altitude. The dimensions of ecosystem stability were different among biomes, showing the lowest in the evergreen broad-leaved forest (EBF) and the highest in the grassland (GRA). Climate factors were strongly associated with the changes in dimensions of ecosystem stability at global scale. These findings highlight the crucial role of dimensions in exploring ecosystem stability, potentially eliminating contradictions in the ecosystem service mechanism of the earth.