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In the context of global change, a better understanding of the dynamics of wood degradation, and how they relate to tree attributes and climatic conditions, is necessary to improve broad‐scale assessments of the contributions of deadwood to various ecological processes, and ultimately, for the development of adaptive post‐disturbance management strategies. The objective of this meta‐analysis was to review the effects of tree attributes and local climatic conditions on the time since death of coarse woody debris ranging in decomposition states. Results from our meta‐analysis showed that projected warming will likely accelerate wood decomposition and significantly decrease the residence time in decay stages. By promoting such a decrease in residence time, further climate warming is very likely to alter the dynamics of deadwood, which in turn may affect saproxylic biodiversity by decreasing the temporal availability of specific habitats. Moreover, while coarse woody debris has been recognized as a key resource for bioenergy at the global scale, the acceleration of decay‐stages transition dynamics indicates that the temporal window during which dead trees are available as feedstock for value‐added products will shrink. Consequently, future planning and implementation of salvage harvesting will need to occur within a short period following disturbance, especially in warmer regions dominated by hardwood species. Another important contribution of this work was the development of a harmonized classification system that relies on the correspondence between the visual criteria used to characterize deadwood decomposition stages in locally developed systems the literature. This system could be used in future investigations to facilitate direct comparisons between studies. Our literature survey also highlights that most of the information on wood decay dynamics comes from temperate and boreal forests, whereas data from subtropical, equatorial and subarctic forests are scarce. Such data are urgently needed to allow broader‐scale conclusions on global wood degradation dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Yield tables used for stand-level predictions of standing volume typically do not account for the presence of dead trees and stem decay. Yet, recently dead trees, referred to as dead and sound wood (DSW), could be considered as a valuable supplemental wood source. Conversely, stem decay can cause important losses during product recovery. Accordingly, the general objective of this study was to characterize the patterns of change of stem decay and of DSW as functions of time since the last fire (TSF). The amount of stem decay and of DSW per tree species were measured in two chronosequences of 30 stands each, covering more than 1000 years in the northeastern Canadian boreal forest. Stand-level decay volume increased during the first 150 years following fire and then stabilized. This volume was mainly composed of black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) when TSF <200 years and of balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) when TSF >200 years. Conversely, the volume of DSW declined rapidly after fire and increased gradually from about 200 years TSF. Hence, the loss of wood volume attributable to stem decay in old-growth stands was cancelled out by the increased availability of DSW, with a slightly positive balance of 3.5 m3/ha. This could be significant considering the large amount of old-growth stands in this part of the boreal forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]