Evidence for the acclimation of ecosystem photosynthesis to soil moisture

Jinlong Peng, Jiwang Tang, Shudi Xie, Yiheng Wang, Jiaqiang Liao, Chen Chen, Chuanlian Sun, Jinhua Mao, Qingping Zhou and Shuli Niu ()
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Jinlong Peng: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jiwang Tang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shudi Xie: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yiheng Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jiaqiang Liao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chen Chen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chuanlian Sun: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jinhua Mao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qingping Zhou: Southwest University for Nationalities
Shuli Niu: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Ecosystem gross primary productivity (GPP) is the largest carbon flux between the atmosphere and biosphere and is strongly influenced by soil moisture. However, the response and acclimation of GPP to soil moisture remain poorly understood, leading to large uncertainties in characterizing the impact of soil moisture on GPP in Earth system models. Here we analyze the GPP-soil moisture response curves at 143 sites from the global FLUXNET. We find that GPP at 108 sites exhibits hump-shaped response curves with increasing soil moisture, and an apparent optimum soil moisture ( $${{\rm{SM}}}^{{\rm{GPP}}}_{{\rm{opt}}}$$ SM opt GPP , at which GPP reaches the maximum) exists widely with large variability among sites and biomes around the globe. Variation in $${{\rm{SM}}}^{{\rm{GPP}}}_{{\rm{opt}}}$$ SM opt GPP is mostly explained by local water availability, with drier ecosystems having lower $${{\rm{SM}}}^{{\rm{GPP}}}_{{\rm{opt}}}$$ SM opt GPP than wetter ecosystems, reflecting the water acclimation of $${{\rm{SM}}}^{{\rm{GPP}}}_{{\rm{opt}}}$$ SM opt GPP . This acclimation is further supported by a field experiment that only manipulates water and keeps other factors constant, which shows a downward shift in $${{\rm{SM}}}^{{\rm{GPP}}}_{{\rm{opt}}}$$ SM opt GPP after long-term water deficit, and thus a lower soil water requirement to maximize GPP. These results provide compelling evidence for the widespread $${{\rm{SM}}}^{{\rm{GPP}}}_{{\rm{opt}}}$$ SM opt GPP and its acclimation, shedding new light on understanding and predicting carbon-climate feedbacks.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54156-7

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