Terrestrial ecosystem feedbacks to global climate change

Journal Article · Wed Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Annual Review of Energy and the Environment

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.22.1.75· OSTI ID:566234

Lashof, D A; DeAngelo, B J ^[1]; Saleska, S R; Harte, J ^[2]

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1. Natural Resources Defense Council, Washington, DC (United States)
2. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)

Anthropogenic greenhouse gases are expected to induce changes in global climate that can alter ecosystems in ways that, in turn, may further affect climate. Such climate-ecosystem interactions can generate either positive or negative feedbacks to the climate system, thereby either enhancing or diminishing the magnitude of global climate change. Important terrestrial feedback mechanisms include CO{sub 2} fertilization (negative feedbacks), carbon storage in vegetation and soils (positive and negative feedbacks), vegetation albedo (positive feedbacks), and peatland methane emissions (positive and negative feedbacks). While the processes involved are complex, not readily quantifiable, and demonstrate both positive and negative feedback potential, the authors conclude that the combined effect of the feedback mechanisms reviewed here will likely amplify climate change relative to current projections that have not yet adequately incorporated these mechanisms. 162 refs., 7 figs., 3 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 566234
• Journal Information: Annual Review of Energy and the Environment, Journal Name: Annual Review of Energy and the Environment Vol. 22; ISSN ANEEER; ISSN 1056-3466
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CARBON CYCLE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
GREENHOUSE GASES
REVIEWS
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS