Interannual Variability of Energy and CO 2 Exchanges in a Remnant Area of the Caatinga Biome under Extreme Rainfall Conditions

Keila R. Mendes (), Ana M. S. Marques, Pedro R. Mutti, Pablo E. S. Oliveira, Daniele T. Rodrigues, Gabriel B. Costa, Rosaria R. Ferreira, Any C. N. da Silva, Leonardo F. Morais, José Romualdo S. Lima, Antonio C. D. Antonino, Rômulo S. C. Menezes, Cláudio M. Santos e Silva () and Bergson G. Bezerra
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Keila R. Mendes: Climate Sciences Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
Ana M. S. Marques: Climate Sciences Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
Pedro R. Mutti: Climate Sciences Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
Pablo E. S. Oliveira: Climate Sciences Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
Daniele T. Rodrigues: Department of Statistic, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina 64049-550, PI, Brazil
Gabriel B. Costa: Climate Sciences Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
Rosaria R. Ferreira: Climate Sciences Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
Any C. N. da Silva: Department of Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
Leonardo F. Morais: Climate Sciences Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
José Romualdo S. Lima: Academic Unit of Garanhuns, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns 55292-270, PE, Brazil
Antonio C. D. Antonino: Department of Nuclear Energy, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50740-545, PE, Brazil
Rômulo S. C. Menezes: Department of Nuclear Energy, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50740-545, PE, Brazil
Cláudio M. Santos e Silva: Climate Sciences Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
Bergson G. Bezerra: Climate Sciences Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-17

Abstract: Research focusing on energy, water vapor, and CO 2 exchanges over the Caatinga Biome is recent. Consequently, there exist research gaps on this topic that limit our ability to understand and project interannual and long-term variations in the CO 2 cycle of this environment. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of the energy and CO 2 balances of the Caatinga Biome under extreme rainfall conditions (extreme drought and intense rainfall) using simulations of the SITE model (Simple Tropical Ecosystem Model). Meteorological data from the years 2009 (heavy rainfall) and 2012 (extreme drought) obtained from an INMET automatic station were used. Relationships between monthly GPP and NEE values and rainfall were also analyzed. Although the SITE model had been previously calibrated for the region, adjustments to the calibration were necessary for our study due to the extreme climatic values of the selected years. The results highlight the impact of rainfall on energy and mass exchanges over the Caatinga, particularly evident in the partitioning of the energy balance and the CO 2 balance. In 2009 (during heavy rainfall), the fraction of Rn converted into LE was nearly 6% higher compared to the values observed in 2012 (during extreme drought). Regarding CO 2 , it was found that the Caatinga behaved as a sink, even under extreme drought conditions (2012), with annual average values of −1.86 µmol m −2 s −1 (2009) and −0.81 µmol m −2 s −1 (2012). Relationships between monthly GPP and NEE values and rainfall were also investigated, revealing an asymptotic relationship between the components of CO 2 balance and rainfall. It was evident that both the monthly values of GPP and NEE tend to stabilize when monthly rainfall volumes exceed 200 mm.

Keywords: caatinga; CO 2 balance; energy balance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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