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Evaluation of 11 terrestrial carbon-nitrogen cycle models against observations from two temperate Free-Air CO2 Enrichment studies

Publication ,  Journal Article
Zaehle, S; Medlyn, BE; De Kauwe, MG; Walker, AP; Dietze, MC; Hickler, T; Luo, Y; Wang, YP; El-Masri, B; Thornton, P; Jain, A; Wang, S ...
Published in: New Phytologist
January 1, 2014

We analysed the responses of 11 ecosystem models to elevated atmospheric [CO2] (eCO2) at two temperate forest ecosystems (Duke and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experiments) to test alternative representations of carbon (C)-nitrogen (N) cycle processes. We decomposed the model responses into component processes affecting the response to eCO2 and confronted these with observations from the FACE experiments. Most of the models reproduced the observed initial enhancement of net primary production (NPP) at both sites, but none was able to simulate both the sustained 10-yr enhancement at Duke and the declining response at ORNL: models generally showed signs of progressive N limitation as a result of lower than observed plant N uptake. Nonetheless, many models showed qualitative agreement with observed component processes. The results suggest that improved representation of above-ground-below-ground interactions and better constraints on plant stoichiometry are important for a predictive understanding of eCO2 effects. Improved accuracy of soil organic matter inventories is pivotal to reduce uncertainty in the observed C-N budgets. The two FACE experiments are insufficient to fully constrain terrestrial responses to eCO2, given the complexity of factors leading to the observed diverging trends, and the consequential inability of the models to explain these trends. Nevertheless, the ecosystem models were able to capture important features of the experiments, lending some support to their projections. © 2014 New Phytologist Trust.

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Published In

New Phytologist

DOI

EISSN

1469-8137

ISSN

0028-646X

Publication Date

January 1, 2014

Volume

202

Issue

3

Start / End Page

803 / 822

Related Subject Headings

  • Plant Biology & Botany
  • 4102 Ecological applications
  • 4101 Climate change impacts and adaptation
  • 3108 Plant biology
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
 

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Zaehle, S., Medlyn, B. E., De Kauwe, M. G., Walker, A. P., Dietze, M. C., Hickler, T., … Norby, R. J. (2014). Evaluation of 11 terrestrial carbon-nitrogen cycle models against observations from two temperate Free-Air CO2 Enrichment studies. New Phytologist, 202(3), 803–822. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.12697
Zaehle, S., B. E. Medlyn, M. G. De Kauwe, A. P. Walker, M. C. Dietze, T. Hickler, Y. Luo, et al. “Evaluation of 11 terrestrial carbon-nitrogen cycle models against observations from two temperate Free-Air CO2 Enrichment studies.” New Phytologist 202, no. 3 (January 1, 2014): 803–22. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.12697.
Zaehle S, Medlyn BE, De Kauwe MG, Walker AP, Dietze MC, Hickler T, et al. Evaluation of 11 terrestrial carbon-nitrogen cycle models against observations from two temperate Free-Air CO2 Enrichment studies. New Phytologist. 2014 Jan 1;202(3):803–22.
Zaehle, S., et al. “Evaluation of 11 terrestrial carbon-nitrogen cycle models against observations from two temperate Free-Air CO2 Enrichment studies.” New Phytologist, vol. 202, no. 3, Jan. 2014, pp. 803–22. Scopus, doi:10.1111/nph.12697.
Zaehle S, Medlyn BE, De Kauwe MG, Walker AP, Dietze MC, Hickler T, Luo Y, Wang YP, El-Masri B, Thornton P, Jain A, Wang S, Warlind D, Weng E, Parton W, Iversen CM, Gallet-Budynek A, Mccarthy H, Finzi A, Hanson PJ, Prentice IC, Oren R, Norby RJ. Evaluation of 11 terrestrial carbon-nitrogen cycle models against observations from two temperate Free-Air CO2 Enrichment studies. New Phytologist. 2014 Jan 1;202(3):803–822.
Journal cover image

Published In

New Phytologist

DOI

EISSN

1469-8137

ISSN

0028-646X

Publication Date

January 1, 2014

Volume

202

Issue

3

Start / End Page

803 / 822

Related Subject Headings

  • Plant Biology & Botany
  • 4102 Ecological applications
  • 4101 Climate change impacts and adaptation
  • 3108 Plant biology
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences