Reconciling inconsistencies in precipitation–productivity relationships implications for climate change

Precipitation (PPT) is a primary climatic determinant of plant growth and aboveground net primary production (ANPP) over much of the globe. Thus, PPT–ANPP relationships are important both ecologically and to land–atmosphere models that couple terrestrial vegetation to the global carbon cycle. Empiri...

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Published in:The New phytologist Vol. 214; no. 1; pp. 41 - 47
Main Authors: Knapp, Alan K., Ciais, Philippe, Smith, Melinda D.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England New Phytologist Trust 01.04.2017
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Wiley
Subjects:
Arid zones
Atmosphere
Biogeochemistry
Carbon cycle
Climate Change
climate extremes
Continental interfaces, environment
Data collection
Drought
Ecological function
Ecosystem structure
ecosystems
Environmental impact
Extreme drought
Grasslands
Hydrologic cycle
Models, Theoretical
Moisture content
Nonlinear Dynamics
nonlinear models
Ocean, Atmosphere
Plant biomass
Plant Development
Plant growth
precipitation
Primary production
primary productivity
productivity
Rain
Sciences of the Universe
Semiarid lands
Soil water
Statistical models
Tansley insight
Terrestrial ecosystems
Terrestrial environments
Time Factors
Variability
vegetation
Vegetation patterns
Water use
precipitation
productivity
drought
carbon cycle
variability
climate change
climate extremes
ISSN:0028-646X, 1469-8137
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Precipitation (PPT) is a primary climatic determinant of plant growth and aboveground net primary production (ANPP) over much of the globe. Thus, PPT–ANPP relationships are important both ecologically and to land–atmosphere models that couple terrestrial vegetation to the global carbon cycle. Empirical PPT–ANPP relationships derived from long-term site-based data are almost always portrayed as linear, but recent evidence has accumulated that is inconsistent with an underlying linear relationship. We review, and then reconcile, these inconsistencies with a nonlinear model that incorporates observed asymmetries in PPT–ANPP relationships. Although data are currently lacking for parameterization, this new model highlights research needs that, when met, will improve our understanding of carbon cycle dynamics, as well as forecasts of ecosystem responses to climate change.
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ISSN:0028-646X
1469-8137
DOI:10.1111/nph.14381