Protecting climate with forests

Jackson, Robert B.; Randerson, James T.; Canadell, Josep G.; Anderson, Ray G.; Avissar, Roni; Baldocchi, Dennis; Bonan, Gordon B.; Caldeira, Ken; Diffenbaugh, Noah S.; Field, Christopher B.; Hungate, Bruce A.; Jobbágy, Estéban G.; Kueppers, Lara M.; Nosetto, Marcelo D.; Pataki, Diane E.

doi:10.1088/1748-9326/3/4/044006

Cited by 335 publications

(280 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…In addition to the effects of deforestation and harvesting on CO 2 emissions, LULCC also changes the surface albedo and biophysical properties of the land surface [e.g., Feddema et al, 2005;Jackson et al, 2008;Bonan, 2008;DeNoblet-Ducoudre et al, 2012;Brovkin et al, 2013;Myhre et al, 2013], increases emissions of methane and nitrous oxide, and alters aerosol emissions [e.g., Foley et al, 2005;Heald and Spracken, 2015;Unger, 2014;Ward et al, 2014].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactions between land use change and carbon cycle feedbacks

Mahowald

Randerson

Lindsay

et al. 2017

Global Biogeochemical Cycles

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Using the Community Earth System Model, we explore the role of human land use and land cover change (LULCC) in modifying the terrestrial carbon budget in simulations forced by Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5, extended to year 2300. Overall, conversion of land (e.g., from forest to croplands via deforestation) results in a model-estimated, cumulative carbon loss of 490 Pg C between 1850 and 2300, larger than the 230 Pg C loss of carbon caused by climate change over this same interval. The LULCC carbon loss is a combination of a direct loss at the time of conversion and an indirect loss from the reduction of potential terrestrial carbon sinks. Approximately 40% of the carbon loss associated with LULCC in the simulations arises from direct human modification of the land surface; the remaining 60% is an indirect consequence of the loss of potential natural carbon sinks. Because of the multicentury carbon cycle legacy of current land use decisions, a globally averaged amplification factor of 2.6 must be applied to 2015 land use carbon losses to adjust for indirect effects. This estimate is 30% higher when considering the carbon cycle evolution after 2100. Most of the terrestrial uptake of anthropogenic carbon in the model occurs from the influence of rising atmospheric CO 2 on photosynthesis in trees, and thus, model-projected carbon feedbacks are especially sensitive to deforestation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactions between land use change and carbon cycle feedbacks

Mahowald

Randerson

Lindsay

et al. 2017

Global Biogeochemical Cycles

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“…The interactions of temperature with drought and N can also affect the surface properties of forests beyond evapotranspiration. Drought sensitive forests (deciduous forests) tend to have a higher surface albedo than drought resistant ones (e.g., conifer forests), affecting the regional energy balance [151]. Further, increases in temperature can increase decomposition and N mineralization rates in the absence of drought, but N mineralization will not respond to temperature if moisture is the limiting factor [152].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earth System Model Needs for Including the Interactive Representation of Nitrogen Deposition and Drought Effects on Forested Ecosystems

Drewniak

Gonzàlez-Meler

2017

Forests

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Abstract:One of the biggest uncertainties of climate change is determining the response of vegetation to many co-occurring stressors. In particular, many forests are experiencing increased nitrogen deposition and are expected to suffer in the future from increased drought frequency and intensity. Interactions between drought and nitrogen deposition are antagonistic and non-additive, which makes predictions of vegetation response dependent on multiple factors. The tools we use (Earth system models) to evaluate the impact of climate change on the carbon cycle are ill equipped to capture the physiological feedbacks and dynamic responses of ecosystems to these types of stressors. In this manuscript, we review the observed effects of nitrogen deposition and drought on vegetation as they relate to productivity, particularly focusing on carbon uptake and partitioning. We conclude there are several areas of model development that can improve the predicted carbon uptake under increasing nitrogen deposition and drought. This includes a more flexible framework for carbon and nitrogen partitioning, dynamic carbon allocation, better representation of root form and function, age and succession dynamics, competition, and plant modeling using trait-based approaches. These areas of model development have the potential to improve the forecasting ability and reduce the uncertainty of climate models.

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“…Betts, 2000;Jackson et al, 2008;Bright et al, 2011;Anderson-Teixeira et al, 2012;Rogers et al, 2013) controversial (e.g., Greenglass, 2010). Whereas some countries are experiencing increased demand for forest resources that may continue, inclusion of such activities runs contrary to emissions accounting undertaken outside of the AFOLU sector (e.g., electricity sector cannot alter a 'reference emissions level' because of increasing demand for electricity).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest carbon accounting methods and the consequences of forest bioenergy for national greenhouse gas emissions inventories

McKechnie

Colombo

MacLean

2014

Environmental Science & Policy

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While bioenergy plays a key role in strategies for increasing renewable energy deployment, studies assessing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from forest bioenergy systems have identified a potential trade-off of the system with forest carbon stocks. Of particular importance to national GHG inventories is how trade-offs between forest carbon stocks and bioenergy production are accounted for within the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector under current and future international climate change mitigation agreements. Through a case study of electricity produced using wood pellets from harvested forest stands in Ontario, Canada, this study assesses the implications of forest carbon accounting approaches on net emissions attributable to pellets produced for domestic use or export. Particular emphasis is placed on the Forest Management Reference Level (FMRL) method, as it will be employed by most Annex I nations in the next Kyoto Protocol Commitment Period. While bioenergy production is found to reduce forest carbon sequestration, under the FMRL approach this trade-off may not be accounted for and thus not incur an accountable AFOLU-related emission, provided that total forest harvest remains at or below that defined under the FMRL baseline. In contrast, accounting for forest carbon trade-offs associated with harvest for bioenergy results in an increase in net GHG emissions (AFOLU and life cycle emissions) lasting 37 or 90 years (if displacing coal or natural gas combined cycle generation, respectively). AFOLU emissions calculated using the Gross-Net approach are dominated by legacy effects of past management and natural disturbance, indicating near-term net forest carbon increase but longer-term reduction in forest carbon stocks. Export of wood pellets to EU markets does not greatly affect the total life cycle GHG emissions of wood pellets. However, pellet exporting countries risk creating a considerable GHG emissions burden, as they are responsible for AFOLU and bioenergy production emissions but do not receive credit for pellets displacing fossil fuel-related GHG emissions. Countries producing bioenergy from forest biomass, whether for domestic use or for export, should carefully consider potential implications of alternate forest carbon accounting methods to ensure that potential bioenergy pathways can contribute to GHG emissions reduction targets.

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Protecting climate with forests

Cited by 335 publications

References 29 publications

Interactions between land use change and carbon cycle feedbacks

Interactions between land use change and carbon cycle feedbacks

Earth System Model Needs for Including the Interactive Representation of Nitrogen Deposition and Drought Effects on Forested Ecosystems

Forest carbon accounting methods and the consequences of forest bioenergy for national greenhouse gas emissions inventories

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