Future climate warming is expected to enhance plant
growth in temperate ecosystems and to increase carbon sequestration. But
although severe regional heatwaves may become more frequent in a changing
climate, and their impact on terrestrial carbon cycling is unclear. Europe experienced a particularly extreme climate anomaly
during 2003, with July temperatures up to 6°C above long-term means, and annual
precipitation deficits up to 300 mmy-1, that is 50% below the
average. We used the 2003 heatwave as a ‘laboratory assistant’ to estimate the
impact on terrestrial carbon cycling.
Author: Ph. Ciais, M. Reichstein, N. Viovy, A. Granier, et al
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