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Enhanced seasonal exchange of CO2 by northern ecosystems since 1960

Authors :
Ralph F. Keeling
Lisa R. Welp
Colm Sweeney
Stephen C. Piper
J. Bent
S. C. Wofsy
J. J. Kelley
P. P. Tans
Heather Graven
G. W. Santoni
Prabir K. Patra
Eric A. Kort
Bruce C. Daube
Britton B. Stephens
Source :
Science (New York, N.Y.). 341(6150)
Publication Year :
2013

Abstract

Downs and Ups Every spring, the concentration of CO 2 in the atmosphere of the Northern Hemisphere decreases as terrestrial vegetation grows, and every fall, CO 2 rises as vegetation dies and rots. Climate change has destabilized the seasonal cycle of atmospheric CO 2 such that Graven et al. (p. 1085 , published online 8 August; see the Perspective by Fung ) have found that the amplitude of the seasonal cycle has exceeded 50% at some latitudes. The only way to explain this increase is if extratropical land ecosystems are growing and shrinking more than they did half a century ago, as a result of changes in the structure and composition of northern ecosystems.

Details

ISSN :
10959203
Volume :
341
Issue :
6150
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Science (New York, N.Y.)
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....847d232eff6cb51b65364e6ac0a4cca6