4 subjects for group discussions have been proposed by the organizing committee and in addition the participants have suggested a number of discussions.

We have decided to keep the four original subjects, and include the proposed discussion points in these (inserted in each subject):

Discussion group 1
Contrasting ecosystem responses to precipitation change at different climatic conditions (wet/dry & cold/warm).

Discussion group 2
Major factors regulating/controlling the effects of precipitation change on ecosystems: Our current state of understanding.

Discussion group 3
Contrasting effects of changes in precipitation amounts and distribution patterns.

Discussion group 4
Uncertainties, thresholds, time lags, and climate and ecological "surprises".

Apart from the indicated questions under each subject, each group should bear in mind the following overall key questions for the workshop

1. How can change in precipitation change biogeographic ecotones - Can the models predict these changes? We can predict what the landscape should look like but systems are unlikely to change rapidly enough. Where is water, temperature, or radiation the major regulator for ecosystem structure and function?

2. Does the presence or abundance of an individual species or functional group due to changes in water, alter ecosystem function?

3. Are some systems more resilient to alterations in precipitation alone or in combination with other drivers than others?  And why? For e.g. temperature , Moisture -  amount and seasonality, Soil Depth, Soil Texture, Rooting Depth, Species composition/Biome

4. Are some systems more sensitive to alterations in precipitation alone or in combination with other drivers than others?  And why? For e.g. temperature , Moisture -  amount and seasonality, Soil Depth, Soil Texture, Rooting Depth, Species composition/Biome

5. How important are changes in timing/seasonality of precipitation versus total amount of precipitation for ecosystem functioning/services?

6. What is the relative importance of extreme events versus more gradual changes in water for ecosystem functioning/services? How important is the duration versus intensity of drought?

7. What is the relative importance of the main effect of precipitation change versus the interactive effects with other drivers (CO₂, Temperature, and N?)