Journal Article

Reconciling inconsistencies in precipitation–productivity relationships

Alan K. Knapp, Melinda D. Smith, Philippe Ciais

2017

Overview

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.

• Publisher: New Phytologist Trust,Wiley Subscription Services, Inc,Wiley
• Subject: 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