Modelled effects of precipitation on ecosystem carbon and water dynamics in different climatic zones

Gerten, Dieter; Luo, Yi Qi; Le Maire, Guerric; Parton, William J.; Keogh, Cindy; Weng, En Sheng; Beier, Claus; Ciais, Philippe; Cramer, Wolfgang; Dukes, Jeffrey S.; Hanson, Paul J.; Knapp, Alan; Linder, Sune; Nepstad, Dan; Rustad, Lindsay; Sowerby, Alwyn. 2008 Modelled effects of precipitation on ecosystem carbon and water dynamics in different climatic zones. Global Change Biology, 14 (10). 2365-2379. 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2008.01651.x

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Abstract/Summary

The ongoing changes in the global climate expose the world's ecosystems not only to increasing CO2 concentrations and temperatures but also to altered precipitation (P) regimes. Using four well-established process-based ecosystem models (LPJ, DayCent, ORCHIDEE, TECO), we explored effects of potential P changes on water limitation and net primary production (NPP) in seven terrestrial ecosystems with distinctive vegetation types in different hydroclimatic zones. We found that NPP responses to P changes differed not only among sites but also within a year at a given site. The magnitudes of NPP change were basically determined by the degree of ecosystem water limitation, which was quantified here using the ratio between atmospheric transpirational demand and soil water supply. Humid sites and/or periods were least responsive to any change in P as compared with moderately humid or dry sites/periods. We also found that NPP responded more strongly to doubling or halving of P amount and a seasonal shift in P occurrence than that to altered P frequency and intensity at constant annual amounts. The findings were highly robust across the four models especially in terms of the direction of changes and largely consistent with earlier P manipulation experiments and modelling results. Overall, this study underscores the widespread importance of P as a driver of change in ecosystems, although the ultimate response of a particular site will depend on the detailed nature and seasonal timing of P change.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1111/j.1365-2486.2008.01651.x
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Emmett
ISSN:	1354-1013
Additional Keywords:	climate change, DGVM, drought, ecosystem modelling, NPP, precipitation, soil respiration, water limitation, water stress
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	05 Feb 2009 10:58 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/5883

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