Robustness and uncertainty in terrestrial ecosystem carbon response to CMIP5 climate change projections

We have investigated the spatio-temporal carbon balance patterns resulting from forcing a dynamic global vegetation model with output from 18 climate models of the CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) ensemble. We found robust patterns in terms of an extra-tropical loss of carbon, e...

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Main Authors: A Ahlström, G Schurgers, A Arneth, B Smith
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2012-01-01
Series:Environmental Research Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/7/4/044008
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author A Ahlström
G Schurgers
A Arneth
B Smith
author_facet A Ahlström
G Schurgers
A Arneth
B Smith
author_sort A Ahlström
collection DOAJ
description We have investigated the spatio-temporal carbon balance patterns resulting from forcing a dynamic global vegetation model with output from 18 climate models of the CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) ensemble. We found robust patterns in terms of an extra-tropical loss of carbon, except for a temperature induced shift in phenology, leading to an increased spring uptake of carbon. There are less robust patterns in the tropics, a result of disagreement in projections of precipitation and temperature. Although the simulations generally agree well in terms of the sign of the carbon balance change in the middle to high latitudes, there are large differences in the magnitude of the loss between simulations. Together with tropical uncertainties these discrepancies accumulate over time, resulting in large differences in total carbon uptake over the coming century (−0.97–2.27 Pg C yr ^−1 during 2006–2100). The terrestrial biosphere becomes a net source of carbon in ten of the 18 simulations adding to the atmospheric CO _2 concentrations, while the remaining eight simulations indicate an increased sink of carbon.
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spelling doaj.art-4f68e4b77b64467f9b1d1b2d3f1127082023-08-09T14:23:14ZengIOP PublishingEnvironmental Research Letters1748-93262012-01-017404400810.1088/1748-9326/7/4/044008Robustness and uncertainty in terrestrial ecosystem carbon response to CMIP5 climate change projectionsA Ahlström0G Schurgers1A Arneth2B Smith3Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University , Sölvegatan 12, SE-223 62 Lund, SwedenDepartment of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University , Sölvegatan 12, SE-223 62 Lund, SwedenInstitute for Meteorology and Climate Research—Atmospheric Environmental Research, Karlsruhe Institute for Technology , Kreuzeckbahnstrasse 19, D-82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GermanyDepartment of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University , Sölvegatan 12, SE-223 62 Lund, SwedenWe have investigated the spatio-temporal carbon balance patterns resulting from forcing a dynamic global vegetation model with output from 18 climate models of the CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) ensemble. We found robust patterns in terms of an extra-tropical loss of carbon, except for a temperature induced shift in phenology, leading to an increased spring uptake of carbon. There are less robust patterns in the tropics, a result of disagreement in projections of precipitation and temperature. Although the simulations generally agree well in terms of the sign of the carbon balance change in the middle to high latitudes, there are large differences in the magnitude of the loss between simulations. Together with tropical uncertainties these discrepancies accumulate over time, resulting in large differences in total carbon uptake over the coming century (−0.97–2.27 Pg C yr ^−1 during 2006–2100). The terrestrial biosphere becomes a net source of carbon in ten of the 18 simulations adding to the atmospheric CO _2 concentrations, while the remaining eight simulations indicate an increased sink of carbon.https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/7/4/04400892.70.Bc92.70.Mn92.70.Np92.60.RyLPJ-GUESSNEE
spellingShingle A Ahlström
G Schurgers
A Arneth
B Smith
Robustness and uncertainty in terrestrial ecosystem carbon response to CMIP5 climate change projections
Environmental Research Letters
92.70.Bc
92.70.Mn
92.70.Np
92.60.Ry
LPJ-GUESS
NEE
title Robustness and uncertainty in terrestrial ecosystem carbon response to CMIP5 climate change projections
title_full Robustness and uncertainty in terrestrial ecosystem carbon response to CMIP5 climate change projections
title_fullStr Robustness and uncertainty in terrestrial ecosystem carbon response to CMIP5 climate change projections
title_full_unstemmed Robustness and uncertainty in terrestrial ecosystem carbon response to CMIP5 climate change projections
title_short Robustness and uncertainty in terrestrial ecosystem carbon response to CMIP5 climate change projections
title_sort robustness and uncertainty in terrestrial ecosystem carbon response to cmip5 climate change projections
topic 92.70.Bc
92.70.Mn
92.70.Np
92.60.Ry
LPJ-GUESS
NEE
url https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/7/4/044008
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