Impact of droughts on the carbon cycle in European vegetation: a probabilistic risk analysis using six vegetation models

We analyse how climate change may alter risks posed by droughts to carbon fluxes in European ecosystems. The approach follows a recently proposed framework for risk analysis based on probability theory. In this approach, risk is quantified as the product of hazard probability and ecosystem vulnerability. The probability of a drought hazard is calculated here from the Standardised Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index. Vulnerability is calculated from the response to drought simulated by process-based vegetation models. Here we use six different models: three for generic vegetation (JSBACH, LPJmL, ORCHIDEE) and three for specific ecosystems (Scots pine forests: BASFOR; winter wheat fields: EPIC; grasslands: PASIM). The periods 1971-2000 and 2071-2100 are compared. Climate data are based on observations and on output from the regional climate model REMO using the SRES A1B scenario. The risk analysis is carried out for ~22000 grid cells of 0.25 x 0.25 degrees across Europe. For each grid cell, drought vulnerability and risk are quantified for five seasonal variables: net primary and ecosystem productivity (NPP, NEP), heterotrophic respiration (RH), soil water content and evapotranspiration. Climate change is expected to lead to increased drought risks to net primary productivity in the Mediterranean area: five of the models estimate that risk will exceed 15%. The risks will increase mainly because of greater drought probability; ecosystem vulnerability will increase to lesser extent. Because NPP will be affected more than RH, future C-sequestration (NEP) will also be at risk predominantly in southern Europe, with risks exceeding 0.25 g C m-2 d-1 according to most models, amounting to reductions in carbon sequestration of 20 to 80 %.