Variable tree rooting strategies are key for modelling the distribution, productivity and evapotranspiration of  tropical evergreen forests

Sakschewski, Boris; von Bloh, Werner; Drüke, Markus; Sörensson, Anna Amelia; Ruscica, Romina; Langerwisch, Fanny; Billing, Maik; Bereswill, Sarah; Hirota, Marina; Oliveira, Rafael Silva; Heinke, Jens; Thonicke, Kirsten

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4091-2021

Articles | Volume 18, issue 13

https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4091-2021

© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4091-2021

© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 18, issue 13

Research article

|

12 Jul 2021

Research article |

| 12 Jul 2021

Variable tree rooting strategies are key for modelling the distribution, productivity and evapotranspiration of tropical evergreen forests

Boris Sakschewski, Werner von Bloh, Markus Drüke, Anna Amelia Sörensson, Romina Ruscica, Fanny Langerwisch, Maik Billing, Sarah Bereswill, Marina Hirota, Rafael Silva Oliveira, Jens Heinke, and Kirsten Thonicke

Data sets

Model outputs of LPJmL4.0-VR, LPJmL4.0-VR-base and LPJmL4.0 as used in Sakschewski et al. 2021 (https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2020-97) Boris Sakschewski, Werner von Bloh, Markus Drüke, Anna A. Sörensson, Romina Ruscica, Fanny Langerwisch, Maik Billing, Sarah Bereswill, Marina Hirota, Rafael S. Oliveira, Jens Heinke, and Kirsten Thonicke https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4709166

Model code and software

Model code of LPJmL4.0-VR as used in Sakschewski et al. 2021 (https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2020-97) Boris Sakschewski, Werner von Bloh, Markus Drüke, Anna A. Sörensson, Romina Ruscica, Fanny Langerwisch, Maik Billing, Sarah Bereswill, Marina Hirota, Rafael S. Oliveira, Jens Heinke, Kirsten Thonicke https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4709250

LPJmL4 Model Code, V. 4.0 S. Schaphoff, W. von Bloh, K. Thonicke, H. Biemans, M. Forkel, D. Gerten, J. Heinke, J. Jägermeyr, C. Müller, S. Rolinski, K. Waha, E. Stehfest, L. de Waal, U. Heyder, M. Gumpenberger, and T. Beringer https://doi.org/10.5880/pik.2018.002

Short summary

This study shows how local adaptations of tree roots across tropical and sub-tropical South America explain patterns of biome distribution, productivity and evapotranspiration on this continent. By allowing for high diversity of tree rooting strategies in a dynamic global vegetation model (DGVM), we are able to mechanistically explain patterns of mean rooting depth and the effects on ecosystem functions. The approach can advance DGVMs and Earth system models.