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Past terrestrial hydroclimate sensitivity controlled by Earth system feedbacks

Author

Listed:
  • Ran Feng

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Tripti Bhattacharya

    (Syracuse University)

  • Bette L. Otto-Bliesner

    (Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research)

  • Esther C. Brady

    (Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research)

  • Alan M. Haywood

    (University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane)

  • Julia C. Tindall

    (University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane)

  • Stephen J. Hunter

    (University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane)

  • Ayako Abe-Ouchi

    (University of Tokyo)

  • Wing-Le Chan

    (University of Tokyo)

  • Masa Kageyama

    (Université Paris-Saclay)

  • Camille Contoux

    (Université Paris-Saclay)

  • Chuncheng Guo

    (NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research)

  • Xiangyu Li

    (China University of Geoscience)

  • Gerrit Lohmann

    (Alfred Wegener Institute-Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
    University of Bremen)

  • Christian Stepanek

    (Alfred Wegener Institute-Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Ning Tan

    (Key Laboratory of Cenozoic Geology and Environment, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qiong Zhang

    (Stockholm University)

  • Zhongshi Zhang

    (China University of Geoscience)

  • Zixuan Han

    (Hohai University)

  • Charles J. R. Williams

    (University of Bristol, University Road)

  • Daniel J. Lunt

    (University of Bristol, University Road)

  • Harry J. Dowsett

    (Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, U. S. Geological Survey)

  • Deepak Chandan

    (University of Toronto)

  • W. Richard Peltier

    (University of Toronto)

Abstract

Despite tectonic conditions and atmospheric CO2 levels (pCO2) similar to those of present-day, geological reconstructions from the mid-Pliocene (3.3-3.0 Ma) document high lake levels in the Sahel and mesic conditions in subtropical Eurasia, suggesting drastic reorganizations of subtropical terrestrial hydroclimate during this interval. Here, using a compilation of proxy data and multi-model paleoclimate simulations, we show that the mid-Pliocene hydroclimate state is not driven by direct CO2 radiative forcing but by a loss of northern high-latitude ice sheets and continental greening. These ice sheet and vegetation changes are long-term Earth system feedbacks to elevated pCO2. Further, the moist conditions in the Sahel and subtropical Eurasia during the mid-Pliocene are a product of enhanced tropospheric humidity and a stationary wave response to the surface warming pattern, which varies strongly with land cover changes. These findings highlight the potential for amplified terrestrial hydroclimate responses over long timescales to a sustained CO2 forcing.

Suggested Citation

  • Ran Feng & Tripti Bhattacharya & Bette L. Otto-Bliesner & Esther C. Brady & Alan M. Haywood & Julia C. Tindall & Stephen J. Hunter & Ayako Abe-Ouchi & Wing-Le Chan & Masa Kageyama & Camille Contoux & , 2022. "Past terrestrial hydroclimate sensitivity controlled by Earth system feedbacks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-28814-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28814-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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