Simulated Tree-Grass Competition in Drylands Is Modulated by CO2 Fertilization
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Simulated Tree-Grass Competition in Drylands Is Modulated by CO2 Fertilization. / Verbruggen, Wim; Schurgers, Guy; Meunier, Félicien; Verbeeck, Hans; Horion, Stéphanie.
In: Earth's Future, Vol. 12, No. 1, e2023EF004096, 2024.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Simulated Tree-Grass Competition in Drylands Is Modulated by CO2 Fertilization
AU - Verbruggen, Wim
AU - Schurgers, Guy
AU - Meunier, Félicien
AU - Verbeeck, Hans
AU - Horion, Stéphanie
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Authors.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Interannual variability in climatic drivers can have a strong impact on dryland ecosystem functioning globally. While interannual variations in dryland ecosystem processes are mainly driven by rainfall, other global change drivers such as CO2 fertilization and rising temperatures can play an increasingly important role for these ecosystems. Yet, the high complexity of dryland ecosystems makes it difficult to unravel the individual and interactive impacts of these different drivers. In this work we study the impacts of interannual climatic variability on the dryland ecosystems of the Sudano-Sahel region for the period 1950–2022. By using a dynamic vegetation model (LPJ-GUESS v4.0), we show that the year-to-year variability in dryland ecosystems that originates from interannual variability in rainfall is modulated by effects of CO2 fertilization, which can strongly impact woody encroachment and resource competition between vegetation types. In contrast, we found that increased temperatures had a relatively low influence at the ecosystem level. We also show that this response varies with aridity subtype, depending on the amount and type of woody cover. By untangling the impacts of climatic drivers on dryland vegetation, this study helps us to understand the different sensitivities of dryland ecosystems to climatic variability under global change.
AB - Interannual variability in climatic drivers can have a strong impact on dryland ecosystem functioning globally. While interannual variations in dryland ecosystem processes are mainly driven by rainfall, other global change drivers such as CO2 fertilization and rising temperatures can play an increasingly important role for these ecosystems. Yet, the high complexity of dryland ecosystems makes it difficult to unravel the individual and interactive impacts of these different drivers. In this work we study the impacts of interannual climatic variability on the dryland ecosystems of the Sudano-Sahel region for the period 1950–2022. By using a dynamic vegetation model (LPJ-GUESS v4.0), we show that the year-to-year variability in dryland ecosystems that originates from interannual variability in rainfall is modulated by effects of CO2 fertilization, which can strongly impact woody encroachment and resource competition between vegetation types. In contrast, we found that increased temperatures had a relatively low influence at the ecosystem level. We also show that this response varies with aridity subtype, depending on the amount and type of woody cover. By untangling the impacts of climatic drivers on dryland vegetation, this study helps us to understand the different sensitivities of dryland ecosystems to climatic variability under global change.
KW - competition
KW - CO₂ fertilization
KW - drylands
KW - interannual variability
KW - Sudano-Sahel
U2 - 10.1029/2023EF004096
DO - 10.1029/2023EF004096
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85182814507
VL - 12
JO - Earth's Future
JF - Earth's Future
SN - 2328-4277
IS - 1
M1 - e2023EF004096
ER -
ID: 382857124