The mark of vegetation change on Earth's surface energy balance

Changing vegetation cover not only affects the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases but also alters the radiative and non-radiative properties of the surface. The result of competing biophysical processes on Earth's surface energy balance varies spatially and seasonally, and can lead to warming or cooling depending on the specific vegetation change and on the background climate. To date these effects are not accounted for in land-based climate policies because of the complexity of the phenomena, contrasting model predictions and the lack of global data-driven assessments. Here we use satellite observations to make a global evaluation of the potential changes in surface temperature and surface energy balance terms caused by multiple vegetation cover transitions. We then use this data to quantify the impact of actual vegetation changes that occurred during the decade 2000-2010, showing the overwhelming role of tropical deforestation in warming the surface by reducing evapotranspiration despite also brightening the Earth.

DUVEILLER BOGDAN Grégory Henry E;  HOOKER Joseph Dominic;  CESCATTI Alessandro; 

2018-03-14

NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

JRC107473

2041-1723,   

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-017-02810-8,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC107473,   

10.1038/s41467-017-02810-8,