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Contemporary and projected biogenic fluxes of methane and nitrous oxide in North American terrestrial ecosystems
Author(s) -
Tian Hanqin,
Lu Chaoqun,
Chen Guangsheng,
Tao Bo,
Pan Shufen,
Grosso Stephen J Del,
Xu Xiaofeng,
Bruhwiler Lori,
Wofsy Steven C,
Kort Eric A,
Prior Stephen A
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
frontiers in ecology and the environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.918
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1540-9309
pISSN - 1540-9295
DOI - 10.1890/120057
Subject(s) - nitrous oxide , greenhouse gas , environmental science , methane , ecosystem , terrestrial ecosystem , carbon dioxide , climate change , global warming , atmospheric sciences , methane emissions , environmental chemistry , carbon sequestration , environmental protection , ecology , chemistry , geology , biology
Accurately estimating biogenic methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems is critical for resolving global budgets of these greenhouse gases (GHGs) and continuing to mitigate climate warming. Here, we assess contemporary biogenic CH 4 and N 2 O budgets and probable climate‐change‐related impacts on CH 4 and N 2 O emissions in terrestrial North America. Multi‐approach estimations show that, during 1990–2010, biogenic CH 4 emissions ranged from 0.159 to 0.502 petagrams of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) equivalents per year (Pg CO 2 eq yr −1 , where 1 Pg = 1 × 10 15 g) and N 2 O emissions ranged from 0.802 to 1.016 Pg CO 2 eq yr −1 , which offset 47–166% of terrestrial CO 2 sequestration (0.915–2.040 Pg CO 2 eq yr −1 , as indicated elsewhere in this Special Issue). According to two future climate scenarios, CH 4 and N 2 O emissions are projected to continue increasing by 137–151% and 157–227%, respectively, by the end of this century, as compared with levels during 2000–2010. Strategies to mitigate climate change must account for non‐CO 2 GHG emissions, given their substantial warming potentials.