Professor Fu Yongshuo's research team from the College of Water Sciences published three papers in the journal of Communications Earth & Environment and Nature Climate Change
Professor Fu Yongshuo's research team from the College of Water Sciences published three papers in the journal of Communications Earth & Environment and Nature Climate Change.
The abstract of papers:
1.Increased early-season productivity drives earlier peak of vegetation photosynthesis across the Northern Hemisphere
Changes in vegetation carbon uptake are largely influenced by the timing and magnitude of the peak of the growing season (POS), when vegetation photosynthesis reaches its maximum. However, the factors controlling the timing of POS remain poorly understood, leaving us uncertain about its future trajectory. Using satellite observations and carbon flux measurements, we show that, in recent decades, increased early-season carbon uptake has been driven by both an earlier onset of the growing season and higher temperatures. In 93% of northern (>30°N) vegetation, these increases in early-season carbon uptake were associated with an advancement of POS. This ongoing shift suggests a developmental constraint on seasonal productivity, potentially limiting carbon uptake later in the season. Our findings provide a mechanistic explanation that reconciles previous observations linking earlier growing season onset, rising temperatures, and shifts in POS timing, and suggest a decrease in late-season carbon uptake with climate warming.
2.Diminished contribution of spring phenology to early-season carbon uptake in a changing climate
Advances in spring phenology (SOS) and increases in terrestrial gross primary productivity (GPP) are well-documented. However, the impact of an earlier SOS on the duration and rate of carbon uptake (GPPrate) during the early growing season (EGS) remains unclear, leaving the overall influence of these factors on EGS GPP uncertain. Using satellite and carbon flux data across the Northern Hemisphere, we found that an earlier SOS extended EGS, but reduced the mean daily GPPrate during this period, primarily due to lower temperatures and soil-water content. While the extended EGS increased total EGS GPP, the reduction in EGS GPPrate lowered these gains by 30% on average, with a more pronounced reduction in arid regions (~ 85%) compared to humid areas (~ 15%). The diminished contribution of an advanced SOS to early-season productivity suggests that the current increase in carbon uptake in northern ecosystems may be offset by future warming and drought conditions.
3. Enhanced vegetation productivity driven primarily by rate not duration of carbon uptake
Climate change is altering both the duration and the rate of carbon uptake in plants, thereby affecting terrestrial gross primary productivity (GPP). However, little is known about the relative strengths of these processes or underlying mechanisms. Here, using satellite and carbon-flux data, we show that the duration and mean daily rate of carbon uptake (GPPrate) have both increased in recent decades, enhancing total GPP with a rate of ~0.56% per year during the growing season across the Northern Hemisphere. Notably, the mean daily GPPrate, driven primarily by rising CO2 concentrations and temperatures, contributed ~65% to the changes in total GPP during the growing season over time, with higher contributions in early season (~83%) compared with late season (~55%). These findings highlight the importance of vegetation physiology in driving temporal changes in terrestrial GPP and suggest that the asymmetric changes in productivity across seasons will exacerbate under ongoing climate change.
The source of papers:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02104-8
