Ecosystem biophysical memory in the Southwestern North America climate system

To elucidate the potential role of vegetation to act as a memory source in the southwestern North America climate system, we explore correlation structures of remotely-sensed vegetation dynamics with precipitation, temperature and teleconnection indices over 1982-2006 for six ecoregions. We found that lagged correlations between vegetation dynamics and climate variables are modulated by the dominance of monsoonal or Mediterranean regimes and ecosystem-specific physiological processes. Subtropical and tropical ecosystems exhibit a 1-month lag positive correlation with precipitation, a 0- to 1-month lag negative correlation with temperature, and modest negative effects of sea surface temperature (SST). Mountain forests have a 0 month lag negative correlation with precipitation, a 0-1 month lag negative correlation with temperature, and no significant correlation with SSTs. Deserts show a strong 1-4 month lag positive correlation with precipitation, a low 0-2 month lag negative correlation with temperature, and a high 4-8 month lag positive correlation with SSTs. The ecoregion-specific biophysical memories identified offer an opportunity to improve the predictability of land-atmosphere interactions and vegetation feedbacks onto climate.

FORZIERI Giovanni;  VIVONI Enrique R.;  FEYEN Luc; 

2013-11-06

IOP PUBLISHING LTD

JRC84970

1748-9326,   

http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/4/044016/,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC84970,   

10.1088/1748-9326/8/4/044016,