Recent patterns and mechanisms of carbon exchange by terrestrial ecosystems

D. S. Schimel (), J. I. House, K. A. Hibbard, P. Bousquet, P. Ciais, P. Peylin, B. H. Braswell, M. J. Apps, D. Baker, A. Bondeau, J. Canadell, G. Churkina, W. Cramer, A. S. Denning, C. B. Field, P. Friedlingstein, C. Goodale, M. Heimann, R. A. Houghton, J. M. Melillo, B. Moore, D. Murdiyarso, I. Noble, S. W. Pacala, I. C. Prentice, M. R. Raupach, P. J. Rayner, R. J. Scholes, W. L. Steffen and C. Wirth
Additional contact information
D. S. Schimel: Max Planck Institute für Biogeochemie
J. I. House: Max Planck Institute für Biogeochemie
K. A. Hibbard: IGBP/GAIM, University of New Hampshire, Morse Hall
P. Bousquet: LSCE Unité mixte CEA-CNRS, Bat. 709, CE L’Orme des Merisiers
P. Ciais: LSCE Unité mixte CEA-CNRS, Bat. 709, CE L’Orme des Merisiers
P. Peylin: Laboratoire de Biogéochimie Isotopique, Unite mixte CNRS-UPMC-INRA
B. H. Braswell: University of New Hampshire, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space
M. J. Apps: Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service Northern Forestry Center
D. Baker: NCAR
A. Bondeau: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Telegrafenberg C4
J. Canadell: GCTE International Project Office, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, PO Box 284
G. Churkina: Max Planck Institute für Biogeochemie
W. Cramer: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Telegrafenberg C4
A. S. Denning: Colorado State University
C. B. Field: Carnegie Institution of Washington
P. Friedlingstein: LSCE Unité mixte CEA-CNRS, Bat. 709, CE L’Orme des Merisiers
C. Goodale: Carnegie Institution of Washington
M. Heimann: Max Planck Institute für Biogeochemie
R. A. Houghton: Woods Hole Research Center, PO Box 296
J. M. Melillo: Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory
B. Moore: University of New Hampshire, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space
D. Murdiyarso: GCTE Impacts Center for Southeast Asia, Jalan Raya Tajur Km 6, POB 116
I. Noble: Ecosystem Dynamics, RSBS, Australian National University, POB4 Acton
S. W. Pacala: Princeton University
I. C. Prentice: Max Planck Institute für Biogeochemie
M. R. Raupach: GPO Box 1666
P. J. Rayner: CSIRO-DAR, PMB #1
R. J. Scholes: Environmentek, CSIR, PO Box 395
W. L. Steffen: IGBP Secretariat, Box 50005
C. Wirth: Max Planck Institute für Biogeochemie

Nature, 2001, vol. 414, issue 6860, 169-172

Abstract: Abstract Knowledge of carbon exchange between the atmosphere, land and the oceans is important, given that the terrestrial and marine environments are currently absorbing about half of the carbon dioxide that is emitted by fossil-fuel combustion. This carbon uptake is therefore limiting the extent of atmospheric and climatic change, but its long-term nature remains uncertain. Here we provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of global and regional patterns of carbon exchange by terrestrial ecosystems. Atmospheric carbon dioxide and oxygen data confirm that the terrestrial biosphere was largely neutral with respect to net carbon exchange during the 1980s, but became a net carbon sink in the 1990s. This recent sink can be largely attributed to northern extratropical areas, and is roughly split between North America and Eurasia. Tropical land areas, however, were approximately in balance with respect to carbon exchange, implying a carbon sink that offset emissions due to tropical deforestation. The evolution of the terrestrial carbon sink is largely the result of changes in land use over time, such as regrowth on abandoned agricultural land and fire prevention, in addition to responses to environmental changes, such as longer growing seasons, and fertilization by carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Nevertheless, there remain considerable uncertainties as to the magnitude of the sink in different regions and the contribution of different processes.

Date: 2001
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DOI: 10.1038/35102500

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