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Climate and vegetation controls on boreal zone energy exchange
Dennis Baldocchi1, Francis M Kelliher2, T A Black3
1Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, 151, Hilgard Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Global Change Biology
|January 14, 2022
Summary
Boreal forests exchange significant energy with the atmosphere, but low temperatures and precipitation limit evaporation. Conifer forests show low evaporation and high sensible heat exchange, unlike aspen and wetlands.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Atmospheric Science
- Forestry
Background:
- Boreal forests are large biomes with short growing seasons and cold winters.
- Mass and energy exchange measurements in boreal forests have been limited until recently.
- These forests significantly impact the Earth's climate system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To overview results of recent field studies on boreal forest-atmosphere energy exchanges.
- To analyze the patterns and controls of solar energy, moisture, and heat fluxes.
- To examine the interaction between the boreal biosphere and atmosphere.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive field studies in Canada, Siberia, and Scandinavia.
- Analysis of solar energy, moisture, and sensible heat fluxes.
- Interpretation and synthesis of field data using a soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfer model.
Main Results:
- Boreal forest growth is limited by low precipitation and temperatures, restricting photosynthesis and water conductivity.
- Conifer forests exhibit low evaporation rates (25-75% of equilibrium) and high sensible heat exchange.
- Broad-leaved aspen stands and wetlands show higher evaporation rates, approaching equilibrium.
Conclusions:
- The structure of boreal forests, particularly conifer stands, influences energy exchange dynamics.
- Low evaporation in conifer forests leads to increased sensible heat exchange and deeper boundary layers.
- Evaporation rates vary significantly between different boreal forest types and associated ecosystems.
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