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Past terrestrial hydroclimate sensitivity controlled by Earth system feedbacks.
- Source :
- Nature Communications; 3/14/2022, Vol. 13 Issue 1, p1-11, 11p
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Despite tectonic conditions and atmospheric CO<subscript>2</subscript> levels (pCO<subscript>2</subscript>) similar to those of present-day, geological reconstructions from the mid-Pliocene (3.3-3.0 Ma) document high lake levels in the Sahel and mesic conditions in subtropical Eurasia, suggesting drastic reorganizations of subtropical terrestrial hydroclimate during this interval. Here, using a compilation of proxy data and multi-model paleoclimate simulations, we show that the mid-Pliocene hydroclimate state is not driven by direct CO<subscript>2</subscript> radiative forcing but by a loss of northern high-latitude ice sheets and continental greening. These ice sheet and vegetation changes are long-term Earth system feedbacks to elevated pCO<subscript>2</subscript>. Further, the moist conditions in the Sahel and subtropical Eurasia during the mid-Pliocene are a product of enhanced tropospheric humidity and a stationary wave response to the surface warming pattern, which varies strongly with land cover changes. These findings highlight the potential for amplified terrestrial hydroclimate responses over long timescales to a sustained CO<subscript>2</subscript> forcing. In contrast to future projections, paleoclimate records often find wetter subtropics in tandem with elevated CO<subscript>2</subscript>. Here, a compilation of proxies and simulations are used to reveal the climate dynamics and feedbacks responsible for generating wet subtropics during the mid-Pliocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20411723
- Volume :
- 13
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Nature Communications
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 155757566
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-28814-7