skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Terrestrial ecosystem feedbacks to global climate change

Abstract

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.

Authors:
;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Natural Resources Defense Council, Washington, DC (United States)
  2. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
566234
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Annual Review of Energy and the Environment
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 22; Other Information: PBD: 1997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS; GREENHOUSE EFFECT; GREENHOUSE GASES; GLOBAL ASPECTS; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; CARBON CYCLE; REVIEWS

Citation Formats

Lashof, D A, DeAngelo, B J, Saleska, S R, and Harte, J. Terrestrial ecosystem feedbacks to global climate change. United States: N. p., 1997. Web. doi:10.1146/annurev.energy.22.1.75.
Lashof, D A, DeAngelo, B J, Saleska, S R, & Harte, J. Terrestrial ecosystem feedbacks to global climate change. United States. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.22.1.75
Lashof, D A, DeAngelo, B J, Saleska, S R, and Harte, J. 1997. "Terrestrial ecosystem feedbacks to global climate change". United States. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.22.1.75.
@article{osti_566234,
title = {Terrestrial ecosystem feedbacks to global climate change},
author = {Lashof, D A and DeAngelo, B J and Saleska, S R and Harte, J},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {10.1146/annurev.energy.22.1.75},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/566234}, journal = {Annual Review of Energy and the Environment},
number = ,
volume = 22,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1997},
month = {Wed Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1997}
}