Sullivan M. J. P. auteur aut IRD Lewis S. L. auteur aut IRD Affum-Baffoe K. auteur aut IRD Droissart Vincent auteur aut IRD Réjou-Méchain Maxime auteur aut IRD Phillips O. L. auteur aut IRD et al. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access The sensitivity of tropical forest carbon to climate is a key uncertainty in predicting global climate change. Although short-term drying and warming are known to affect forests, it is unknown if such effects translate into long-term responses. Here, we analyze 590 permanent plots measured across the tropics to derive the equilibrium climate controls on forest carbon. Maximum temperature is the most important predictor of aboveground biomass (-9.1 megagrams of carbon per hectare per degree Celsius), primarily by reducing woody productivity, and has a greater impact per degrees C in the hottest forests (>32.2 degrees C). Our results nevertheless reveal greater thermal resilience than observations of short-term variation imply. To realize the long-term climate adaptation potential of tropical forests requires both protecting them and stabilizing Earth's climate. specialized ZONE TROPICALE 082 021 020 368 6493 869-874 2020 0036-8075 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010078171 10.1126/science.aaw7578 0036-8075 [F B010078171] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010078171 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2020/06/010078171.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2020-07-02 2025-02-24 fdi:010078171 fre