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Increased light-use efficiency in northern terrestrial ecosystems indicated by CO2 and greening observations

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Title: Increased light-use efficiency in northern terrestrial ecosystems indicated by CO2 and greening observations
Authors: Thomas, RT
Prentice, IC
Graven, H
Ciais, P
Fisher, JB
Hayes, DJ
Huang, M
Huntzinger, DN
Ito, A
Jain, A
Mao, J
Michalak, AM
Peng, S
Poulter, B
Ricciuto, DM
Shi, X
Schwalm, C
Tian, H
Zeng, N
Item Type: Journal Article
Abstract: Observations show an increasing amplitude in the seasonal cycle of CO2 (ASC) north of 45°N of 56 ± 9.8% over the last 50 years and an increase in vegetation greenness of 7.5–15% in high northern latitudes since the 1980s. However, the causes of these changes remain uncertain. Historical simulations from terrestrial biosphere models in the Multiscale Synthesis and Terrestrial Model Intercomparison Project are compared to the ASC and greenness observations, using the TM3 atmospheric transport model to translate surface fluxes into CO2 concentrations. We find that the modeled change in ASC is too small but the mean greening trend is generally captured. Modeled increases in greenness are primarily driven by warming, whereas ASC changes are primarily driven by increasing CO2. We suggest that increases in ecosystem-scale light use efficiency (LUE) have contributed to the observed ASC increase but are underestimated by current models. We highlight potential mechanisms that could increase modeled LUE.
Issue Date: 4-Nov-2016
Date of Acceptance: 12-Oct-2016
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/41702
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2016GL070710
ISSN: 1944-8007
Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Start Page: 11339
End Page: 11349
Journal / Book Title: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 43
Issue: 21
Copyright Statement: © 2016. American Geophysical Union. All Rights R eserved.
Sponsor/Funder: AXA Research Fund
Funder's Grant Number: AXA Chair Programme in Biosphere and Climate Impacts
Keywords: Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Geology
ATMOSPHERIC CARBON-DIOXIDE
MODEL INTERCOMPARISON PROJECT
PROGRAM MULTISCALE SYNTHESIS
SEASONAL AMPLITUDE
BIOSPHERE MODELS
ELEVATED CO2
LAND-USE
VEGETATION
TRENDS
CLIMATE
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
MD Multidisciplinary
Publication Status: Published
Appears in Collections:Space and Atmospheric Physics
Physics
Department of Life Sciences
Grantham Institute for Climate Change
Faculty of Natural Sciences