Fire, percolation thresholds and the savanna forest transition: a neutral model approach Sebastián R. Abades, Aurora Gaxiola and Pablo A. Marquet

Vegetation structure is as important as climate for explaining ecosystem function across Patagonian rangelands Juan J. Gaitán, Gabriel E. Oliva, Donaldo E. Bran, Fernando T. Maestre, Martín R. Aguiar, Esteban G. Jobbágy, Gustavo G. Buono, Daniela Ferrante, Viviana B. Nakamatsu, Georgina Ciari, Jorge M. Salomone and Virginia Massara

Fire dynamics distinguish grasslands, shrublands and woodlands as alternative attractors in the Central Great Plains of North America Zak Ratajczak, Jesse B. Nippert, John M. Briggs and John M. Blair

Shifts in plant functional types have time-dependent and regionally variable impacts on dryland ecosystem water balance John B. Bradford, Daniel R. Schlaepfer, William K. Lauenroth and Ingrid C. Burke

Climate change will increase savannas at the expense of forests and treeless vegetation in tropical and subtropical Americas José D. Anadón, Osvaldo E. Sala and Fernando T. Maestre

Grass–woodland transitions: determinants and consequences for ecosystem functioning and provisioning of services Osvaldo E. Sala and Fernando T. Maestre

An ecosystem services perspective on brush management: research priorities for competing land-use objectives Steven R. Archer and Katharine I. Predick