Summary/Abstract
This peer-reviewed study analyses the vegetation dynamics of 100 sites representative of the diversity of terrestrial ecosystem types using remote-sensing data spanning the past 40 years, climate modeling, and a dynamic model of plant growth. The results show that all ecosystem types experienced changes in plant activity which can be attributed to anthropogenic climate change. Ecosystems in dry and warm areas responded primarily to changes in soil moisture, while ecosystems in cooler locations responded primarily to changes in temperature. Many of the ecosystems observed are absorbing less carbon as a result of climate-induced stresses. While carbon dioxide “fertilization” is expected to encourage plant growth by allowing for more available carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, this effect is shown to be outweighed by adverse impacts on plant growth due to climate change. The data shows widespread shifts from “greening”– an increase in plant activity to “browning”– a decrease in plant activity. The model was able to explain these shifts based on climate change-induced shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns. These ecosystem impacts could have cascading effects for other species who rely on vegetation for vital life processes.