Worldwide impacts of atmospheric vapor pressure deficit on the interannual variability of terrestrial carbon sinks
Journal article, 2022

Interannual variability of the terrestrial ecosystem carbon sink is substantially regulated by various environmental variables and highly dominates the interannual variation of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. Thus, it is necessary to determine dominating factors affecting the interannual variability of the carbon sink to improve our capability of predicting future terrestrial carbon sinks. Using global datasets derived from machine-learning methods and process-based ecosystem models, this study reveals that the interannual variability of the atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD) was significantly negatively correlated with net ecosystem production (NEP) and substantially impacted the interannual variability of the atmospheric CO2 growth rate (CGR). Further analyses found widespread constraints of VPD interannual variability on terrestrial gross primary production (GPP), causing VPD to impact NEP and CGR. Partial correlation analysis confirms the persistent and widespread impacts of VPD on terrestrial carbon sinks compared to other environmental variables. Current Earth system models underestimate the interannual variability in VPD and its impacts on GPP and NEP. Our results highlight the importance of VPD for terrestrial carbon sinks in assessing ecosystems’ responses to future climate conditions.

Author

Bin He

Beijing Normal University

Chen Chen

Twenty First Century Aerospace Technology

Shangrong Lin

Sun Yat-Sen University

Wenping Yuan

Sun Yat-Sen University

Hans Chen

Lund University

Deliang Chen

University of Gothenburg

Yafeng Zhang

Beijing Normal University

Lanlan Guo

Beijing Normal University

Xiang Zhao

Beijing Normal University

Xuebang Liu

Beijing Normal University

Shilong Piao

Peking University

Ziqian Zhong

Beijing Normal University

Rui Wang

Beijing Normal University

Rui Tang

Beijing Normal University

National Science Review

20955138 (ISSN) 2053714x (eISSN)

Vol. 9 4 nwab150

Subject Categories

Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences

Physical Geography

Climate Research

Roots

Basic sciences

DOI

10.1093/nsr/nwab150

More information

Latest update

1/24/2024