Huang, JianbeiKautz, MarkusTrowbridge, Amy M.Hammerbacher, AlmuthRaffa, Kenneth F.Adams, Henry D.Goodsman, Devin W.Xu, ChonggangMeddens, Arjan J.H.Kandasamy, DineshkumarGershenzon, JonathanSeidl, RupertHartmann, Henrik2020-03-242020-03-242020-01Huang, J., Kautz, M., Trowbridge, A.M. et al. 2020, 'Tree defence and bark beetles in a drying world : carbon partitioning, functioning and modelling', New Phytologist, vol. 225, no. 1, pp. 26-36.0028-646X (print)1469-8137 (online)10.1111/nph.16173http://hdl.handle.net/2263/73819Drought has promoted large-scale, insect-induced tree mortality in recent years, with severe consequences for ecosystem function, atmospheric processes, sustainable resources and global biogeochemical cycles. However, the physiological linkages among drought, tree defences, and insect outbreaks are still uncertain, hindering our ability to accurately predict tree mortality under ongoing climate change. Herewepropose an interdisciplinary research agenda for addressing these crucial knowledge gaps. Our framework includes field manipulations, laboratory experiments, and modelling of insect and vegetation dynamics, and focuses on how drought affects interactions between conifer trees and bark beetles. We build upon existing theory and examine several key assumptions: (1) there is a trade-off in tree carbon investment between primary and secondary metabolites (e.g. growth vs defence); (2) secondary metabolites are one of the main component of tree defence against bark beetles and associated microbes; and (3) implementing conifer-bark beetle interactions in current models improves predictions of forest disturbance in a changing climate. Our framework provides guidance for addressing a major shortcoming in current implementations of large-scale vegetation models, the under-representation of insect-induced tree mortality.en© 2019 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2019 New Phytologist Trust. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.Bark beetlesCarbon allocationClimate changesInsects and pathogensNonstructural carbohydrate storageSecondary metabolitesTree mortalityVegetation modelsTree defence and bark beetles in a drying world : carbon partitioning, functioning and modellingArticle