Observed positive vegetation-rainfall feedbacks in the Sahel dominated by a moisture recycling mechanism

Yan Yu (), Michael Notaro, Fuyao Wang, Jiafu Mao, Xiaoying Shi and Yaxing Wei
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Yan Yu: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Michael Notaro: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Fuyao Wang: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Jiafu Mao: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Xiaoying Shi: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Yaxing Wei: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Classic, model-based theory of land-atmosphere interactions across the Sahel promote positive vegetation-rainfall feedbacks dominated by surface albedo mechanism. However, neither the proposed positive vegetation-rainfall feedback nor its underlying albedo mechanism has been convincingly demonstrated using observational data. Here, we present observational evidence for the region’s proposed positive vegetation-rainfall feedback on the seasonal to interannual time scale, and find that it is associated with a moisture recycling mechanism, rather than the classic albedo-based mechanism. Positive anomalies of remotely sensed vegetation greenness across the Sahel during the late and post-monsoon periods favor enhanced evapotranspiration, precipitable water, convective activity and rainfall, indicative of amplified moisture recycling. The identified modest low-level cooling and anomalous atmospheric subsidence in response to positive vegetation greenness anomalies are counter to the responses expected through the classic vegetation-albedo feedback mechanism. The observational analysis further reveals enhanced dust emissions in response to diminished Sahel vegetation growth, potentially contributing to the positive vegetation-rainfall feedback.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02021-1

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