Speaker: Dr. Qian Zhao
Seminar Title: What can we know from seasonal synergy between vegetation photosynthesis and canopy structure? From a climate change perspective
Abstract: Terrestrial ecosystems absorb ~30% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions every year, making it a key element to mitigate climate change. The dynamics of vegetation canopy closely regulate land carbon sinks, respond to climate change, and feedback to climatic systems. Much attention has focused on the long-term and seasonal dynamics of vegetation canopy structure and physiological functions under climate change separately. However, the interplay between canopy structure and physiology at seasonal and interannual scales has not been thoroughly investigated using large-scale observations, hindering the advancement of terrestrial biosphere modeling. In this talk, I will overview existing studies on vegetation canopy responses to climate change from perspectives of canopy structure and physiology, drawing insights into their interactions. Next, focusing on northern ecosystems, I will showcase a newly discovered phenomenon that the seasonal peak of photosynthesis is hindered by late canopy development, preventing terrestrial ecosystems from achieving their maximum potential of carbon uptake. While the current generation of Earth system models miscapture such seasonal interaction, they will likely benefit from improved mechanistic representation of canopy structural development, thereby better predicting terrestrial carbon uptake under climate change.
Host: Yanlan Liu
