Higher than expected CO2 fertilization inferred from leaf to global observations. (4th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haverd, Vanessa; Smith, Benjamin; Canadell, Josep G.; Cuntz, Matthias; Mikaloff‐Fletcher, Sara; Farquhar, Graham; Woodgate, William; Briggs, Peter R.; Trudinger, Cathy M.
• Is Part Of: Global change biology. Volume 26:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 2390
• Page End: 2402
• Publication Date: 2020-02-04
• Subjects: amplitude of seasonal cycle -- carbonyl sulfide -- CO2 fertilization -- coordination of photosynthesis -- gross primary production -- land carbon sink; Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Troposphere -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Biodiversity conservation -- Periodicals; Eutrophication -- Periodicals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14950
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-1013

Abstract

Abstract: Several lines of evidence point to an increase in the activity of the terrestrial biosphere over recent decades, impacting the global net land carbon sink (NLS) and its control on the growth of atmospheric carbon dioxide ( ca ). Global terrestrial gross primary production (GPP)—the rate of carbon fixation by photosynthesis—is estimated to have risen by (31 ± 5)% since 1900, but the relative contributions of different putative drivers to this increase are not well known. Here we identify the rising atmospheric CO2 concentration as the dominant driver. We reconcile leaf‐level and global atmospheric constraints on trends in modeled biospheric activity to reveal a global CO2 fertilization effect on photosynthesis of 30% since 1900, or 47% for a doubling of ca above the pre‐industrial level. Our historic value is nearly twice as high as current estimates (17 ± 4)% that do not use the full range of available constraints. Consequently, under a future low‐emission scenario, we project a land carbon sink (174 PgC, 2006–2099) that is 57 PgC larger than if a lower CO2 fertilization effect comparable with current estimates is assumed. These findings suggest a larger beneficial role of the land carbon sink in modulating future excess anthropogenic CO2 consistent with the target of the Paris Agreement to stay below 2°C warming, and underscore the importance of preserving terrestrial carbon sinks. Abstract : CO2 concentrations in the global atmosphere will continue to rise for decades ahead. Plants grow faster under elevated CO2, but the current generation of carbon cycle models, including those embedded in Earth system models used for climate assessment, diverge in their representation and future projections of this response. By invoking long‐standing theory on how plants use a limited supply of nitrogen in order to optimize photosynthesis and growth, we reconcile leaf‐level and recent global atmospheric constraints on CO2 fertilization.