Global patterns and drivers of drought resilience across latitudes and forest taxa

Abstract Extreme drought events are projected to increase in frequency and severity, posing serious threats to the stability of forest ecosystems. Forest drought resilience—an essential indicator of ecosystem stability and carbon sequestration potential under climate change—remains poorly understood in terms of its spatial distribution and variation across plant functional types. Here, we assessed global patterns and underlying drivers of forest drought resilience across latitudinal gradients, plant functional types (angiosperms vs. gymnosperms), and taxonomic ranks, using generalized linear models that integrate 282 tree-ring chronologies with satellite environmental and biotic data. Results showed that high-latitude forests had significantly lower drought resilience than those in mid- and low-latitude regions, primarily due to the combined constraints of limited water availability and low temperature. Angiosperm-dominated forests exhibited higher drought resilience than gymnosperm-dominated forests, with the former mainly driven by nutrients and heat but the latter more constrained by water availability and species diversity. Forest drought resilience also differed among specific taxonomic ranks. Notably, the angiosperm genus Quercus exhibited high drought resilience, while some gymnosperm genera—such as Tsuga and Juniperus—also demonstrated strong drought tolerance through distinct physiological and morphological adaptations. These findings reveal that forest drought resilience is jointly shaped by climatic constraints and biotic traits, with clear latitudinal and phylogenetic differences. Recognizing these patterns can inform region-specific forest management and conservation strategies aimed at enhancing ecosystem stability under intensifying climate change.