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Integrating the evidence for a terrestrial carbon sink caused by increasing atmospheric CO 2
Author(s) -
Walker Anthony P.,
De Kauwe Martin G.,
Bastos Ana,
Belmecheri Soumaya,
Georgiou Katerina,
Keeling Ralph F.,
McMahon Sean M.,
Medlyn Belinda E.,
Moore David J. P.,
Norby Richard J.,
Zaehle Sönke,
AndersonTeixeira Kristina J.,
Battipaglia Giovanna,
Brienen Roel J. W.,
Cabugao Kristine G.,
Cailleret Maxime,
Campbell Elliott,
Canadell Josep G.,
Ciais Philippe,
Craig Matthew E.,
Ellsworth David S.,
Farquhar Graham D.,
Fatichi Simone,
Fisher Joshua B.,
Frank David C.,
Graven Heather,
Gu Lianhong,
Haverd Vanessa,
Heilman Kelly,
Heimann Martin,
Hungate Bruce A.,
Iversen Colleen M.,
Joos Fortunat,
Jiang Mingkai,
Keenan Trevor F.,
Knauer Jürgen,
Körner Christian,
Leshyk Victor O.,
Leuzinger Sebastian,
Liu Yao,
MacBean Natasha,
Malhi Yadvinder,
McVicar Tim R.,
Penuelas Josep,
Pongratz Julia,
Powell A. Shafer,
Riutta Terhi,
Sabot Ma E. B.,
Schleucher Juergen,
Sitch Stephen,
Smith William K.,
Sulman Benjamin,
Taylor Benton,
Terrer César,
Torn Margaret S.,
Treseder Kathleen K.,
Trugman Anna T.,
Trumbore Susan E.,
Mantgem Phillip J.,
Voelker Steve L.,
Whelan Mary E.,
Zuidema Pieter A.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.16866
Subject(s) - carbon sink , carbon dioxide in earth's atmosphere , environmental science , sink (geography) , carbon cycle , carbon dioxide , photosynthesis , terrestrial ecosystem , soil carbon , ecosystem , atmospheric carbon cycle , global change , carbon sequestration , terrestrial plant , carbon fibers , atmospheric sciences , climate change , ecology , soil science , soil water , biology , botany , geology , geography , cartography , composite material , materials science , composite number
Summary Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO 2 ]) is increasing, which increases leaf‐scale photosynthesis and intrinsic water‐use efficiency. These direct responses have the potential to increase plant growth, vegetation biomass, and soil organic matter; transferring carbon from the atmosphere into terrestrial ecosystems (a carbon sink). A substantial global terrestrial carbon sink would slow the rate of [CO 2 ] increase and thus climate change. However, ecosystem CO 2 responses are complex or confounded by concurrent changes in multiple agents of global change and evidence for a [CO 2 ]‐driven terrestrial carbon sink can appear contradictory. Here we synthesize theory and broad, multidisciplinary evidence for the effects of increasing [CO 2 ] (iCO 2 ) on the global terrestrial carbon sink. Evidence suggests a substantial increase in global photosynthesis since pre‐industrial times. Established theory, supported by experiments, indicates that iCO 2 is likely responsible for about half of the increase. Global carbon budgeting, atmospheric data, and forest inventories indicate a historical carbon sink, and these apparent iCO 2 responses are high in comparison to experiments and predictions from theory. Plant mortality and soil carbon iCO 2 responses are highly uncertain. In conclusion, a range of evidence supports a positive terrestrial carbon sink in response to iCO 2 , albeit with uncertain magnitude and strong suggestion of a role for additional agents of global change.