Impacts of recent droughts on North American terrestrial ecosystems

Authors

Jingfeng Xiao, University of New Hampshire - Main Campus
Scott V. Ollinger, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow
F Li, University of New Hampshire - Main Campus
C Li, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow
Steve Frolking, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow
George C. Hurtt, University of New Hampshire - Main Campus
Maria Rosa Guerrieri, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow
Lucie Lepine, University of New Hampshire - Main Campus
Heidi Asbjornsen, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow

Abstract

The frequency and severity of droughts have been increasing, and their impacts on terrestrial ecosystems have received growing attention. There has been limited research on the responses of carbon fluxes, evapotranspiration (ET), and water use efficiency (WUE) to severe and extended droughts at regional to continental scales. Here we combine a gridded carbon and water flux dataset (EC-MOD), Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), a process-based ecosystem model, and agricultural statistics to examine the impacts of recent droughts on North American terrestrial ecosystems. The gridded flux dataset was upscaled from eddy covariance flux observations across North America through a data-driven approach. We assess the responses of ecosystem carbon fluxes, ET, and WUE to severe and extended droughts at the continental scale using EC-MOD. Drought can lead to significant declines in ET and subsequent decreases in carbon fluxes. The responses of WUE to drought are assessed at the annual scale. Simulations from a process-based ecosystem model and crop yield statistics are also used to assess the effects of drought on agricultural productivity and WUE. Drought is one of the main sources of the interannual variability of carbon and water fluxes in North America. Drought is expected to become more frequent and more severe during the remainder of the 21st century and therefore will likely have larger impacts on terrestrial ecosystems.

Department

Earth Sciences, Earth Systems Research Center

Publication Date

12-2014

Journal Title

Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Publisher

American Geophysical Union Publications

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Recommended Citation

Xiao, J., Ollinger, S., Li, F., Li, C., Frolking, S.E., Hurtt, G.C., Guerrie, R., Lepine, L.C., Asbjornsen, H. (2014) Impacts of recent droughts on North American terrestrial ecosystems, Abstract B23E-0266 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.