Estimating global carbon uptake by lichens and bryophytes with a process-based model
Lichens and bryophytes are abundant globally and they may even form the dominant autotrophs in (sub)polar ecosystems, in deserts and at high altitudes. Moreover, they can be found in large amounts as epiphytes in old-growth forests. Here, we present the first process-based model which estimates the...
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doaj-742561698fa04db182eb096aed42c7ba2020-11-24T23:29:00ZengCopernicus PublicationsBiogeosciences1726-41701726-41892013-11-0110116989703310.5194/bg-10-6989-2013Estimating global carbon uptake by lichens and bryophytes with a process-based modelP. Porada0B. Weber1W. Elbert2U. Pöschl3A. Kleidon4Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, P.O. Box 10 01 64, 07701 Jena, GermanyMax Planck Institute for Chemistry, P.O. Box 3060, 55020 Mainz, GermanyMax Planck Institute for Chemistry, P.O. Box 3060, 55020 Mainz, GermanyMax Planck Institute for Chemistry, P.O. Box 3060, 55020 Mainz, GermanyMax Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, P.O. Box 10 01 64, 07701 Jena, GermanyLichens and bryophytes are abundant globally and they may even form the dominant autotrophs in (sub)polar ecosystems, in deserts and at high altitudes. Moreover, they can be found in large amounts as epiphytes in old-growth forests. Here, we present the first process-based model which estimates the net carbon uptake by these organisms at the global scale, thus assessing their significance for biogeochemical cycles. The model uses gridded climate data and key properties of the habitat (e.g. disturbance intervals) to predict processes which control net carbon uptake, namely photosynthesis, respiration, water uptake and evaporation. It relies on equations used in many dynamical vegetation models, which are combined with concepts specific to lichens and bryophytes, such as poikilohydry or the effect of water content on CO<sub>2</sub> diffusivity. To incorporate the great functional variation of lichens and bryophytes at the global scale, the model parameters are characterised by broad ranges of possible values instead of a single, globally uniform value. The predicted terrestrial net uptake of 0.34 to 3.3 Gt yr<sup>−1</sup> of carbon and global patterns of productivity are in accordance with empirically-derived estimates. Considering that the assimilated carbon can be invested in processes such as weathering or nitrogen fixation, lichens and bryophytes may play a significant role in biogeochemical cycles.http://www.biogeosciences.net/10/6989/2013/bg-10-6989-2013.pdf |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
P. Porada B. Weber W. Elbert U. Pöschl A. Kleidon |
spellingShingle |
P. Porada B. Weber W. Elbert U. Pöschl A. Kleidon Estimating global carbon uptake by lichens and bryophytes with a process-based model Biogeosciences |
author_facet |
P. Porada B. Weber W. Elbert U. Pöschl A. Kleidon |
author_sort |
P. Porada |
title |
Estimating global carbon uptake by lichens and bryophytes with a process-based model |
title_short |
Estimating global carbon uptake by lichens and bryophytes with a process-based model |
title_full |
Estimating global carbon uptake by lichens and bryophytes with a process-based model |
title_fullStr |
Estimating global carbon uptake by lichens and bryophytes with a process-based model |
title_full_unstemmed |
Estimating global carbon uptake by lichens and bryophytes with a process-based model |
title_sort |
estimating global carbon uptake by lichens and bryophytes with a process-based model |
publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
series |
Biogeosciences |
issn |
1726-4170 1726-4189 |
publishDate |
2013-11-01 |
description |
Lichens and bryophytes are abundant globally and they may even form the
dominant autotrophs in (sub)polar ecosystems, in deserts and at high
altitudes. Moreover, they can be found in large amounts as epiphytes in
old-growth forests. Here, we present the first process-based model which
estimates the net carbon uptake by these organisms at the global scale, thus
assessing their significance for biogeochemical cycles. The model uses
gridded climate data and key properties of the habitat (e.g. disturbance
intervals) to predict processes which control net carbon uptake, namely
photosynthesis, respiration, water uptake and evaporation. It relies on
equations used in many dynamical vegetation models, which are combined with
concepts specific to lichens and bryophytes, such as poikilohydry or the
effect of water content on CO<sub>2</sub> diffusivity. To incorporate the great
functional variation of lichens and bryophytes at the global scale, the model
parameters are characterised by broad ranges of possible values instead of a
single, globally uniform value. The predicted terrestrial net uptake of 0.34
to 3.3 Gt yr<sup>−1</sup> of carbon and global patterns of productivity are in
accordance with empirically-derived estimates. Considering that the
assimilated carbon can be invested in processes such as weathering or
nitrogen fixation, lichens and bryophytes may play a significant role in
biogeochemical cycles. |
url |
http://www.biogeosciences.net/10/6989/2013/bg-10-6989-2013.pdf |
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