Forests, atmospheric water and an uncertain future: the new biology of the global water cycle
Abstract Theory and evidence indicate that trees and other vegetation influence the atmospheric water-cycle in various ways. These influences are more important, more complex, and more poorly characterised than is widely realised. While there is little doubt that changes in tree cover will impact th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
2018-03-01
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| Series: | Forest Ecosystems |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40663-018-0138-y |
| _version_ | 1797970727850213376 |
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| author | Douglas Sheil |
| author_facet | Douglas Sheil |
| author_sort | Douglas Sheil |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Theory and evidence indicate that trees and other vegetation influence the atmospheric water-cycle in various ways. These influences are more important, more complex, and more poorly characterised than is widely realised. While there is little doubt that changes in tree cover will impact the water-cycle, the wider consequences remain difficult to predict as the underlying relationships and processes remain poorly characterised. Nonetheless, as forests are vulnerable to human activities, these linked aspects of the water-cycle are also at risk and the potential consequences of large scale forest loss are severe. Here, for non-specialist readers, I review our knowledge of the links between vegetation-cover and climate with a focus on forests and rain (precipitation). I highlight advances, uncertainties and research opportunities. There are significant shortcomings in our understanding of the atmospheric hydrological cycle and of its representation in climate models. A better understanding of the role of vegetation and tree-cover will reduce some of these shortcomings. I outline and illustrate various research themes where these advances may be found. These themes include the biology of evaporation, aerosols and atmospheric motion, as well as the processes that determine monsoons and diurnal precipitation cycles. A novel theory—the ‘biotic pump’—suggests that evaporation and condensation can exert a major influence over atmospheric dynamics. This theory explains how high rainfall can be maintained within those continental land-masses that are sufficiently forested. Feedbacks within many of these processes can result in non-linear behaviours and the potential for dramatic changes as a result of forest loss (or gain): for example, switching from a wet to a dry local climate (or visa-versa). Much remains unknown and multiple research disciplines are needed to address this: forest scientists and other biologists have a major role to play. New ideas, methods and data offer opportunities to improve understanding. Expect surprises. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T03:20:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9618ff0519d14dec9141fb6c88bc6110 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2197-5620 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T03:20:34Z |
| publishDate | 2018-03-01 |
| publisher | KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forest Ecosystems |
| spelling | doaj.art-9618ff0519d14dec9141fb6c88bc61102023-01-02T09:05:13ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Forest Ecosystems2197-56202018-03-015112210.1186/s40663-018-0138-yForests, atmospheric water and an uncertain future: the new biology of the global water cycleDouglas Sheil0Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)Abstract Theory and evidence indicate that trees and other vegetation influence the atmospheric water-cycle in various ways. These influences are more important, more complex, and more poorly characterised than is widely realised. While there is little doubt that changes in tree cover will impact the water-cycle, the wider consequences remain difficult to predict as the underlying relationships and processes remain poorly characterised. Nonetheless, as forests are vulnerable to human activities, these linked aspects of the water-cycle are also at risk and the potential consequences of large scale forest loss are severe. Here, for non-specialist readers, I review our knowledge of the links between vegetation-cover and climate with a focus on forests and rain (precipitation). I highlight advances, uncertainties and research opportunities. There are significant shortcomings in our understanding of the atmospheric hydrological cycle and of its representation in climate models. A better understanding of the role of vegetation and tree-cover will reduce some of these shortcomings. I outline and illustrate various research themes where these advances may be found. These themes include the biology of evaporation, aerosols and atmospheric motion, as well as the processes that determine monsoons and diurnal precipitation cycles. A novel theory—the ‘biotic pump’—suggests that evaporation and condensation can exert a major influence over atmospheric dynamics. This theory explains how high rainfall can be maintained within those continental land-masses that are sufficiently forested. Feedbacks within many of these processes can result in non-linear behaviours and the potential for dramatic changes as a result of forest loss (or gain): for example, switching from a wet to a dry local climate (or visa-versa). Much remains unknown and multiple research disciplines are needed to address this: forest scientists and other biologists have a major role to play. New ideas, methods and data offer opportunities to improve understanding. Expect surprises.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40663-018-0138-yBiotic pumpClimateCondensationEvaporationIce-nucleationTranspiration |
| spellingShingle | Douglas Sheil Forests, atmospheric water and an uncertain future: the new biology of the global water cycle Forest Ecosystems Biotic pump Climate Condensation Evaporation Ice-nucleation Transpiration |
| title | Forests, atmospheric water and an uncertain future: the new biology of the global water cycle |
| title_full | Forests, atmospheric water and an uncertain future: the new biology of the global water cycle |
| title_fullStr | Forests, atmospheric water and an uncertain future: the new biology of the global water cycle |
| title_full_unstemmed | Forests, atmospheric water and an uncertain future: the new biology of the global water cycle |
| title_short | Forests, atmospheric water and an uncertain future: the new biology of the global water cycle |
| title_sort | forests atmospheric water and an uncertain future the new biology of the global water cycle |
| topic | Biotic pump Climate Condensation Evaporation Ice-nucleation Transpiration |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40663-018-0138-y |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT douglassheil forestsatmosphericwaterandanuncertainfuturethenewbiologyoftheglobalwatercycle |