Main Drivers of Forage Sensitivity to Droughts of Increasing Duration in Rangelands

Abstract

Rangelands are vital ecosystems with high biodiversity that provide forage for livestock and help mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. However, they are increasingly threatened by more frequent and intense drought events. Understanding the key factors influencing forage sensitivity to droughts of varying durations is essential for promoting sustainable livestock production. In this study, we analysed data from multiyear drought experiments conducted across nine contrasting rangeland sites, spanning arid to humid environmental conditions. Our findings reveal that climatic variables related to water availability are the primary drivers of forage sensitivity to drought, regardless of its duration. However, biotic factors, such as plant richness and the proportion of grasses, play a particularly important role in determining sensitivity to prolonged droughts. These results offer novel insights into how rangeland forage production responds to droughts of different lengths across diverse environmental gradients. Our study advances the understanding of rangeland vulnerability to climate change and underscores the importance of species diversity in buffering the impacts of drought.