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Observational evidence for cloud cover enhancement over western European forests

Author

Listed:
  • Adriaan J. Teuling

    (Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management Group, Wageningen University & Research)

  • Christopher M. Taylor

    (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
    National Centre for Earth Observation)

  • Jan Fokke Meirink

    (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute)

  • Lieke A. Melsen

    (Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management Group, Wageningen University & Research)

  • Diego G. Miralles

    (VU University
    Laboratory of Hydrology and Water Management, Ghent University)

  • Chiel C. van Heerwaarden

    (Meteorology and Air Quality Group, Wageningen University & Research)

  • Robert Vautard

    (LSCE/IPSL, Laboratoire CEA/CNRS/UVSQ)

  • Annemiek I. Stegehuis

    (LSCE/IPSL, Laboratoire CEA/CNRS/UVSQ)

  • Gert-Jan Nabuurs

    (Environmental Research (Alterra), Wageningen University & Research)

  • Jordi Vilà-Guerau de Arellano

    (Meteorology and Air Quality Group, Wageningen University & Research)

Abstract

Forests impact regional hydrology and climate directly by regulating water and heat fluxes. Indirect effects through cloud formation and precipitation can be important in facilitating continental-scale moisture recycling but are poorly understood at regional scales. In particular, the impact of temperate forest on clouds is largely unknown. Here we provide observational evidence for a strong increase in cloud cover over large forest regions in western Europe based on analysis of 10 years of 15 min resolution data from geostationary satellites. In addition, we show that widespread windthrow by cyclone Klaus in the Landes forest led to a significant decrease in local cloud cover in subsequent years. Strong cloud development along the downwind edges of larger forest areas are consistent with a forest-breeze mesoscale circulation. Our results highlight the need to include impacts on cloud formation when evaluating the water and climate services of temperate forests, in particular around densely populated areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Adriaan J. Teuling & Christopher M. Taylor & Jan Fokke Meirink & Lieke A. Melsen & Diego G. Miralles & Chiel C. van Heerwaarden & Robert Vautard & Annemiek I. Stegehuis & Gert-Jan Nabuurs & Jordi Vilà, 2017. "Observational evidence for cloud cover enhancement over western European forests," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms14065
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14065
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    Cited by:

    1. Merja H. Tölle, 2020. "Impact of Deforestation on Land–Atmosphere Coupling Strength and Climate in Southeast Asia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-14, July.
    2. Meine van Noordwijk & Erika Speelman & Gert Jan Hofstede & Ai Farida & Ali Yansyah Abdurrahim & Andrew Miccolis & Arief Lukman Hakim & Charles Nduhiu Wamucii & Elisabeth Lagneaux & Federico Andreotti , 2020. "Sustainable Agroforestry Landscape Management: Changing the Game," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-38, July.
    3. Josef Seják & Jan Pokorný & Karl Seeley, 2018. "Achieving Sustainable Valuations of Biotopes and Ecosystem Services," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-14, November.
    4. Hao Luo & Johannes Quaas & Yong Han, 2024. "Decreased cloud cover partially offsets the cooling effects of surface albedo change due to deforestation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.

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