There is considerable uncertainty in the magnitude and direction of changes in precipitation associated with climate change, and ecosystem responses are also uncertain. Multiyear periods of above‐ and below‐average rainfall may foretell consequences of changes in rainfall regime. We compiled long‐term aboveground net primary productivity ( ANPP ) and precipitation ( PPT ) data for eight North American grasslands, and quantifie...

Grasslands across the United States play a key role in regional livelihood and national food security. Yet, it is still unclear how this important resource will respond to the prolonged warm droughts and more intense rainfall events predicted with climate change. The early 21st‐century drought in the southwestern United States resulted in hydroclimatic conditions that are similar to those expected with future climate change. W...