Contribution of the terrestrial biosphere to interannual variations in atmospheric CO{sub 2}
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
Interannual fluctuations in atmospheric CO{sub 2} concentration may reflect interannual variations in the CO{sub 2} source/sink strength of the terrestrial biosphere. Recurrent changes in climate like those associated with El Nino events and episodic changes like those associated with the Mt. Pinatubo eruption could alter the global balance between terrestrial net primary production and heterotrophic (decomposer) respiration and thus influence net CO{sub 2} exchange with the atmosphere. A georeferenced global terrestrial biosphere model (0.5{degrees} spatial resolution and monthly temporal resolution) was used to simulate interannual variations in net CO{sub 2} exchange with the atmosphere. The model was driven with monthly temperature and precipitation data for the period 1900 to present. Interannual variations in simulated net CO{sub 2} exchange were compared with historical records of atmospheric CO{sub 2}. Consecutive years of an enhanced terrestrial sink were associated with periods of declining atmospheric CO{sub 2} concentration; consecutive years of enhanced source strength were associated with positive atmospheric CO{sub 2} anomalies. We conclude that interannual variations in terrestrial biospheric carbon flux contribute significantly to interannual variations in atmospheric CO{sub 2}.
- OSTI ID:
- 95826
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9507129-; ISSN 0012-9623; TRN: 95:004728-0091
- Journal Information:
- Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, Vol. 76, Issue 2; Conference: 80. anniversary of the transdisciplinary nature of ecology, Snowbird, UT (United States), 30 Jul - 3 Aug 1995; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Application of advanced very high resolution radiometer vegetation index to study atmosphere-biosphere exchange of CO/sub 2/
Terrestrial Carbon Cycle Variability