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Increased fire activity under high atmospheric oxygen concentrations is compatible with the presence of forests

Author

Listed:
  • Rayanne Vitali

    (University of Exeter)

  • Claire M. Belcher

    (University of Exeter)

  • Jed O. Kaplan

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Andrew J. Watson

    (University of Exeter)

Abstract

Throughout Earth’s history, the abundance of oxygen in our atmosphere has varied, but by how much remains debated. Previously, an upper limit for atmospheric oxygen has been bounded by assumptions made regarding the fire window: atmospheric oxygen concentrations higher than 30–40% would threaten the regeneration of forests in the present world. Here we have tested these assumptions by adapting a Dynamic Global Vegetation Model to run over high atmospheric oxygen concentrations. Our results show that whilst global tree cover is significantly reduced under high O2 concentrations, forests persist in the wettest parts of the low and high latitudes and fire is more dependent on fuel moisture than O2 levels. This implies that the effect of fire on suppressing global vegetation under high O2 may be lower than previously assumed and questions our understanding of the mechanisms involved in regulating the abundance of oxygen in our atmosphere, with moisture as a potentially important factor.

Suggested Citation

  • Rayanne Vitali & Claire M. Belcher & Jed O. Kaplan & Andrew J. Watson, 2022. "Increased fire activity under high atmospheric oxygen concentrations is compatible with the presence of forests," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-35081-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35081-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Stefan K. Hetz & Timothy J. Bradley, 2005. "Insects breathe discontinuously to avoid oxygen toxicity," Nature, Nature, vol. 433(7025), pages 516-519, February.
    2. Lee R. Kump, 2008. "The rise of atmospheric oxygen," Nature, Nature, vol. 451(7176), pages 277-278, January.
    3. Sarah J. Baker & Stephen P. Hesselbo & Timothy M. Lenton & Luís V. Duarte & Claire M. Belcher, 2017. "Charcoal evidence that rising atmospheric oxygen terminated Early Jurassic ocean anoxia," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, August.
    4. Martin A. Whyte, 2005. "A gigantic fossil arthropod trackway," Nature, Nature, vol. 438(7068), pages 576-576, December.
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