Theory 46/Tropical Rainforest/Drought sensitivity
Rainforest Drought Is Depth Against Season
The claim
Tropical rainforest drought sensitivity is set by the ratio of rooting depth to dry-season length, so deep-rooted forests tolerate seasons that kill shallow-rooted ones.
01Mechanism
Access to deep water determines whether the canopy can be maintained through the dry season; the ratio sets the margin.
02Prediction
Sensitivity should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Sensitivity tracking rainfall deficit would remove rooting depth.