A State Factor Model for Ecosystem Carbon–Water Relations. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maxwell, Toby M.; Silva, Lucas C.R.
• Is Part Of: Trends in plant science. Volume 25:Number 7(2020)
• Page Start: 652
• Page End: 660
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: Ecosystem services -- Global change -- Land management -- Scaling -- Soil-plant-atmosphere interactions; Botany -- Periodicals; Botanique -- Périodiques; Botany; Periodicals; 580.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2020.02.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-1385

Abstract

Abstract : With increasing calls for improving terrestrial carbon sequestration and sustainable water use, scientists are faced with the challenge of predicting changes in carbon–water relations from organisms to landscapes. We propose an integrative framework to help in answering basic and applied questions pertaining to coupled carbon–water functions in a variety of ecosystems. The conceptual framework is based on data from a globally representative set of ecosystems that hold vast amounts of carbon and provide water for rural and urban land uses. We focus on examples that demonstrate the value of an integrated approach that combines fast- and slow-changing state factors (i.e., variables that define structural properties and functional processes at the soil–plant–atmosphere interface) to improve predictions of carbon–water relations across scales. Highlights: There is a growing need for land-use management and prioritization for optimal carbon gain and water conservation. Interdisciplinary research will be necessary to better understand and improve the limits of carbon gain per water lost across scales. A state factor approach inspired by soil and ecosystem science can be used to improve basic and applied knowledge of carbon–water relations.