#ecosystem_resilience
#hydroclimate_extremes
#ecological_extremes
In 2014, J. Zscheischler and co-authors conducted a continental-scale analysis on extreme events in gross primary productivity (GPP). The datasets used included a machine learning based construction, a semi-empirical, and two land surface models (OCN and LPJmL).
They found a few important phenomena:
(1) The 50 largest positive and negative GPP extremes accounted for most of the variations in continental GPP variation.
* That is, the extreme events, though limited in number, are very important for interannual variability in GPP.
(2) The spatial extents of the GPP extremes played a larger role on the impact of the event, than the duration or maximal GPP.
(3) Water scarcity was the most important cause of negative GPP extremes. Heat waves played a secondary role. In Europe, South America, and Oceania, fire was a third important factor.
* That is, GPP extremes happened most often when there is drought, followed by heat waves, and finally, in some continents, fires.
* It's interesting that the heat wave seemed to account for the GPP extremes best in Russia. Is this because the vegetation there are adapted to cold conditions?
