
Open access
Author
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Date
2020Type
- Journal Article
Citations
Cited 151 times in
Web of Science
Cited 177 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
Dryness stress can limit vegetation growth and is often characterized by low soil moisture (SM) and high atmospheric water demand (vapor pressure deficit, VPD). However, the relative role of SM and VPD in limiting ecosystem production remains debated and is difficult to disentangle, as SM and VPD are coupled through land-atmosphere interactions, hindering the ability to predict ecosystem responses to dryness. Here, we combine satellite observations of solar-induced fluorescence with estimates of SM and VPD and show that SM is the dominant driver of dryness stress on ecosystem production across more than 70% of vegetated land areas with valid data. Moreover, after accounting for SM-VPD coupling, VPD effects on ecosystem production are much smaller across large areas. We also find that SM stress is strongest in semi-arid ecosystems. Our results clarify a longstanding question and open new avenues for improving models to allow a better management of drought risk. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000444461Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Nature CommunicationsVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
Nature Publishing GroupOrganisational unit
03778 - Seneviratne, Sonia / Seneviratne, Sonia
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Show all metadata
Citations
Cited 151 times in
Web of Science
Cited 177 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics