One of the major sources of uncertainty about the future climate is whether ecosystems will continue to take up carbon dioxide or release it to the atmosphere. University of Montana researchers and co-authors confronted this problem using atmospheric measurements and satellite observations to test model simulations in a recent study published on Sept. 5 in Nature Communications.
W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation Research Scientist Zhihua Liu and colleagues compared atmospheric measurements and satellite observations to climate change model simulations to help better predict terrestrial carbon dynamics across the contiguous United States.
Ecosystems either soak up carbon through photosynthesis – a negative feedback that could reduce future warming – or release it through respiration – a positive feedback that could enhance future warming. Understanding how climate change might impact ecosystem photosynthesis and respiration is critical for predicting future carbon dynamics.
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Image: This is University of Montana Research Scientist Zhihua Liu (Credit The University of Montana)