Premium
Decelerating Autumn CO 2 Release With Warming Induced by Attenuated Temperature Dependence of Respiration in Northern Ecosystems
Author(s) -
Liu Dan,
Piao Shilong,
Wang Tao,
Wang Xuhui,
Wang Xiaoyi,
Ding Jinzhi,
Ciais Philippe,
Peñuelas Josep,
Janssens Ivan
Publication year - 2018
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 - 10.1029/2018gl077447
Subject(s) - environmental science , global warming , ecosystem , atmospheric sciences , climate change , carbon cycle , respiration , boreal , soil respiration , arctic , latitude , climatology , ecology , biology , botany , geography , geodesy , geology
Feedbacks from the carbon cycle in boreal and arctic ecosystems can significantly affect climate change, but the effects of climate change on the high‐latitude carbon cycle during the dormant period remain uncertain. By analyzing the long‐term atmospheric CO 2 concentration record from Point Barrow in Alaska, we show that warming significantly boosts net CO 2 release in autumn over the period 1974–2014. But this warming‐stimulated effect has been attenuated since 1997. This deceleration of net CO 2 release with warming is ascribed to the attenuation in respiration response to temperature rather than changing relationship between temperature and productivity or changes in atmospheric transport, fossil fuel emissions, or air‐sea CO 2 exchanges. The attenuated respiration response is likely due to decoupling between temperature and plant‐derived carbon inputs to soil for decomposition. Contrary to previous suggestions, warming no longer results in a higher autumn net CO 2 release.