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Net carbon dioxide losses of northern ecosystems in response to autumn warming

doi: 10.1038/nature06444
pmid: 18172494
The carbon balance of terrestrial ecosystems is particularly sensitive to climatic changes in autumn and spring, with spring and autumn temperatures over northern latitudes having risen by about 1.1 degrees C and 0.8 degrees C, respectively, over the past two decades. A simultaneous greening trend has also been observed, characterized by a longer growing season and greater photosynthetic activity. These observations have led to speculation that spring and autumn warming could enhance carbon sequestration and extend the period of net carbon uptake in the future. Here we analyse interannual variations in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration data and ecosystem carbon dioxide fluxes. We find that atmospheric records from the past 20 years show a trend towards an earlier autumn-to-winter carbon dioxide build-up, suggesting a shorter net carbon uptake period. This trend cannot be explained by changes in atmospheric transport alone and, together with the ecosystem flux data, suggest increasing carbon losses in autumn. We use a process-based terrestrial biosphere model and satellite vegetation greenness index observations to investigate further the observed seasonal response of northern ecosystems to autumnal warming. We find that both photosynthesis and respiration increase during autumn warming, but the increase in respiration is greater. In contrast, warming increases photosynthesis more than respiration in spring. Our simulations and observations indicate that northern terrestrial ecosystems may currently lose carbon dioxide in response to autumn warming, with a sensitivity of about 0.2 PgC degrees C(-1), offsetting 90% of the increased carbon dioxide uptake during spring. If future autumn warming occurs at a faster rate than in spring, the ability of northern ecosystems to sequester carbon may be diminished earlier than previously suggested.
- University of New Hampshire United States
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Netherlands
- French Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation France
- UNIVERSITE PARIS DESCARTES France
- EnviroSim (Canada) Canada
Greenhouse Effect, 570, Fossil Fuels, 550, [SDE.MCG]Environmental Sciences/Global Changes, Oceans and Seas, Rain, Cell Respiration, History, 21st Century, Soil, SDG 13 - Climate Action, Biomass, Photosynthesis, General, Ecosystem, Geography, Atmosphere, Temperature, Water, Plant Transpiration, Carbon Dioxide, History, 20th Century, Plants, [ SDE.MCG ] Environmental Sciences/Global Changes, [SDE.MCG] Environmental Sciences/Global Changes, Seasons
Greenhouse Effect, 570, Fossil Fuels, 550, [SDE.MCG]Environmental Sciences/Global Changes, Oceans and Seas, Rain, Cell Respiration, History, 21st Century, Soil, SDG 13 - Climate Action, Biomass, Photosynthesis, General, Ecosystem, Geography, Atmosphere, Temperature, Water, Plant Transpiration, Carbon Dioxide, History, 20th Century, Plants, [ SDE.MCG ] Environmental Sciences/Global Changes, [SDE.MCG] Environmental Sciences/Global Changes, Seasons
citations This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).966 popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.Top 0.1% influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).Top 1% impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.Top 0.1%
