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Extending the record of photosynthetic activity in the eastern United States into the presatellite period using surface diurnal temperature range
Author(s) -
Bonfils Céline,
Angert Alon,
Henning Cara C.,
Biraud Sébastien,
Doney Scott C.,
Fung Inez
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2005gl022583
Subject(s) - environmental science , climatology , latitude , diurnal temperature variation , atmospheric sciences , range (aeronautics) , period (music) , photosynthesis , proxy (statistics) , moisture , diurnal cycle , relative humidity , geology , geography , meteorology , biology , materials science , physics , botany , acoustics , composite material , geodesy , machine learning , computer science
In this study, we demonstrate that mid‐latitude surface measurements of diurnal temperature range (DTR) can be used to reconstruct decadal variability of regional‐scale terrestrial photosynthetic activity 1) during and prior to the period with satellite retrievals of land greenness and 2) without the need for moisture data. While the two relative maxima present in the seasonal evolution of DTR can determine the beginning and the end of the growing season, the summertime average DTR can be used as a proxy of summertime terrestrial photosynthesis. In a case study in the eastern United States (1966–1997), the DTR reconstructions indicate significant natural decadal variability in photosynthetic activity, but no secular, long‐term trend. The summertime photosynthesis was found to be controlled primarily by moisture availability. Also, contrary to existing model parameterizations, the timing of spring onset was found to depend on both temperature and moisture.