Journal: Nature Communications
Title: The intensification of Arctic warming as a result of
CO2 physiological forcing
Authors: So-Won Park, Jin-Soo Kim, Jong-Seong Kug
Abstract: Stomatal closure is one of the main physiological
responses to increasing CO2 concentration, which leads to a reduction in plant
water loss. This response has the potential to trigger changes in the climate
system by regulating surface energy budgets–a phenomenon known as CO2
physiological forcing. However, its remote impacts on the Arctic climate system
are unclear. Here we show that vegetation at high latitudes enhances the Arctic
amplification via remote and time-delayed physiological forcing processes.
Surface warming occurs at mid-to-high latitudes due to the physiological acclimation-induced
reduction in evaporative cooling and resultant increase in sensible heat flux.
This excessive surface heat energy is transported to the Arctic ocean and
contributes to the sea ice loss, thereby enhancing Arctic warming. The surface
warming in the Arctic is further amplified by local feedbacks, and consequently
the contribution of physiological effects to Arctic warming represents about
10% of radiative forcing effects.
Links: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-15924-3