CH4 and CO2 exchanges between land ecosystems and the atmosphere in northern high latitudes over the 21st century

Joint Program Reprint • Journal Article
CH4 and CO2 exchanges between land ecosystems and the atmosphere in northern high latitudes over the 21st century
Zhuang, Q., J.M. Melillo, M.C. Sarofim, D.W. Kicklighter, A.D. McGuire, B.S. Felzer, A. Sokolov, R.G. Prinn, P.A. Steudler and S. Hu (2006)
Geophysical Research Letters, 33(17): L17403

Reprint 2006-9 [Read Full Article]

Abstract/Summary:

Terrestrial ecosystems of the northern high latitudes (above 50°N) exchange large amounts of CO2 and CH4 with the atmosphere each year. Here we use a process-based model to estimate the budget of CO2 and CH4 of the region for current climate conditions and for future scenarios by considering effects of permafrost dynamics, CO2 fertilization of photosynthesis and fire. We find that currently the region is a net source of carbon to the atmosphere at 276 Tg C yr-1. We project that throughout the 21st century, the region will most likely continue as a net source of carbon and the source will increase by up to 473 Tg C yr−1 by the end of the century compared to the current emissions. However our coupled carbon and climate model simulations show that these emissions will exert relatively small radiative forcing on global climate system compared to large amounts of anthropogenic emissions.

Copyright 2006 by the American Geophysical Union

Citation:

Zhuang, Q., J.M. Melillo, M.C. Sarofim, D.W. Kicklighter, A.D. McGuire, B.S. Felzer, A. Sokolov, R.G. Prinn, P.A. Steudler and S. Hu (2006): CH4 and CO2 exchanges between land ecosystems and the atmosphere in northern high latitudes over the 21st century. Geophysical Research Letters, 33(17): L17403 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2006GL026972)
  • Joint Program Reprint
  • Journal Article
CH4 and CO2 exchanges between land ecosystems and the atmosphere in northern high latitudes over the 21st century

Zhuang, Q., J.M. Melillo, M.C. Sarofim, D.W. Kicklighter, A.D. McGuire, B.S. Felzer, A. Sokolov, R.G. Prinn, P.A. Steudler and S. Hu

Geophysical Research Letters
2006-9
33(17): L17403

Abstract/Summary: 

Terrestrial ecosystems of the northern high latitudes (above 50°N) exchange large amounts of CO2 and CH4 with the atmosphere each year. Here we use a process-based model to estimate the budget of CO2 and CH4 of the region for current climate conditions and for future scenarios by considering effects of permafrost dynamics, CO2 fertilization of photosynthesis and fire. We find that currently the region is a net source of carbon to the atmosphere at 276 Tg C yr-1. We project that throughout the 21st century, the region will most likely continue as a net source of carbon and the source will increase by up to 473 Tg C yr−1 by the end of the century compared to the current emissions. However our coupled carbon and climate model simulations show that these emissions will exert relatively small radiative forcing on global climate system compared to large amounts of anthropogenic emissions.

Copyright 2006 by the American Geophysical Union

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