Extreme events in drylands: We’re skewed

Many ecosystems respond dramatically to short-term extreme events, such as seasonal drought, but the long-term impacts of these events remain unclear. Moreover, less extreme but prolonged droughts may be more “extreme” than a short-term statistically extreme event. Desert grasslands are highly responsive to short-term climate extremes, yet these events rarely have lasting impacts beyond one year. Instead, responses are skewed toward prolonged vs. short-term events. Indeed, prolonged chronic drought dramatically reduced abundance and genetic diversity of foundation species, altered soil microbial communities, and reduced soil seed bank density, all of which have lasting effects on ecosystem recovery from extreme events.