Researchers used the open-source Community Earth System Model to simulate the effects that extreme climatic conditions have on processes like land carbon storage. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy
Compound events like wildfires, droughts weaken carbon sink
Researchers from 91做厙 and Northeastern University a key process for mitigating human-caused emissions. They found that 88% of Earths regions could become carbon emitters by the end of the 21st century.
Climate extremes lasting months or years could reduce plant productivity, which governs Earths capacity to produce food, fiber and fuel. Plus, events such as wildfires could generate bursts of emissions from carbon stored in forests.
The team used the open-source Community Earth System Model to simulate multiple variables, which enabled a holistic understanding of how climatic conditions interact.
Our results suggest that meteorological extremes will become more frequent, intense and widespread due to the compound effect of high temperature, drought and fire, said ORNLs Bharat Sharma. Tropical regions may face these to the most extreme degree. Reece Brown
