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Amplification of heat extremes by plant CO2 physiological forcing

Author

Listed:
  • Christopher B. Skinner

    (University of Michigan)

  • Christopher J. Poulsen

    (University of Michigan)

  • Justin S. Mankin

    (Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
    NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies
    Dartmouth College)

Abstract

Plants influence extreme heat events by regulating land-atmosphere water and energy exchanges. The contribution of plants to changes in future heat extremes will depend on the responses of vegetation growth and physiology to the direct and indirect effects of elevated CO2. Here we use a suite of earth system models to disentangle the radiative versus vegetation effects of elevated CO2 on heat wave characteristics. Vegetation responses to a quadrupling of CO2 increase summer heat wave occurrence by 20 days or more—30–50% of the radiative response alone—across tropical and mid-to-high latitude forests. These increases are caused by CO2 physiological forcing, which diminishes transpiration and its associated cooling effect, and reduces clouds and precipitation. In contrast to recent suggestions, our results indicate CO2-driven vegetation changes enhance future heat wave frequency and intensity in most vegetated regions despite transpiration-driven soil moisture savings and increases in aboveground biomass from CO2 fertilization.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher B. Skinner & Christopher J. Poulsen & Justin S. Mankin, 2018. "Amplification of heat extremes by plant CO2 physiological forcing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-03472-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03472-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Julien Boé, 2021. "The physiological effect of CO2 on the hydrological cycle in summer over Europe and land-atmosphere interactions," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 167(1), pages 1-20, July.
    2. Liang Qiao & Zhiyan Zuo & Renhe Zhang & Shilong Piao & Dong Xiao & Kaiwen Zhang, 2023. "Soil moisture–atmosphere coupling accelerates global warming," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.

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