Combined statistical and dynamical assessment of simulated vegetation–rainfall in North Africa during the mid-Holocene*
Journal Article
·
· Global Change Biology, 14(2):347-368
OSTI ID:985034
A negative feedback of vegetation cover on subsequent annual precipitation is simulated for the mid-Holocene over North Africa using a fully coupled general circulation model with dynamic vegetation, FOAM-LPJ (Fast Ocean Atmosphere Model-Lund Potsdam Jena Model). By computing a vegetation feedback parameter based on lagged autocovariances, the simulated impact of North African vegetation on precipitation is statistically quantified. The feedback is also dynamically assessed through initial value ensemble experiments, in which North African grass cover is initially reduced and the climatic response analyzed. The statistical and dynamical assessments of the negative vegetation feedback agree in sign and relative magnitude for FOAM-LPJ. The negative feedback on annual precipitation largely results from a competition between bare soil evaporation and plant transpiration, with increases in the former outweighing reductions in the latter given reduced grass cover. This negative feedback weakens and eventually reverses sign over time during a transient simulation from the mid-Holocene to present. A similar, but weaker, negative feedback is identified in Community Climate System Model Version 2 (CCSM2) over North Africa for the mid-Holocene.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 985034
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-60761; KP1701000
- Journal Information:
- Global Change Biology, 14(2):347-368, Journal Name: Global Change Biology, 14(2):347-368 Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 14; ISSN GCBIFE; ISSN 1354-1013
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Detecting vegetation-precipitation feedbacks in mid-Holocene North Africa from two climate models
The sensitivity of the terrestrial biosphere to climatic change: A simulation of the middle Holocene
Uncertainty analysis of vegetation distribution in the northern high latitudes during the 21st century with a dynamic vegetation model: Uncertainty Analysis of Vegetation Distribution
Journal Article
·
Mon Mar 31 00:00:00 EDT 2008
· Climate of the Past, 4(1):59-67
·
OSTI ID:934887
The sensitivity of the terrestrial biosphere to climatic change: A simulation of the middle Holocene
Journal Article
·
Wed Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1994
· Global Biogeochemical Cycles
·
OSTI ID:121731
Uncertainty analysis of vegetation distribution in the northern high latitudes during the 21st century with a dynamic vegetation model: Uncertainty Analysis of Vegetation Distribution
Journal Article
·
Sun Feb 12 19:00:00 EST 2012
· Ecology and Evolution
·
OSTI ID:1623553