52 Biosphere-Atmosphere Feedbacks in the 20th–21st Centuries: Modeling Uncertainties and Key Approaches

Thursday, 11 August 2005
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM

INFLUENCE OF CHANGES OF THE THC ON LAND BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION

Paper number: 52-3
Program: THEME SESSIONS
Time: 2:30 PM – 2:50 PM

Authors

Abstract

Fluctuations in the CO2 paleo-records have been linked to abrupt changes in the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation. It is still an open question what role the land vegetation played in these changes. We use an earth system climate model to investigate the reaction of several plant functional type to a breakdown of the thermohaline circulation. The surface air temperature is reduced over the North Atlantic which forces the boreal treeline to migrate south in northern Eurasia. The time frame and the reasons for the shift will be discussed in detail in the presentation.