Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2022-179
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2022-179
26 Sep 2022
 | 26 Sep 2022
Status: a revised version of this preprint was accepted for the journal BG and is expected to appear here in due course.

Key drivers of the annual carbon budget of biocrusts from various climatic zones determined with a mechanistic data-driven model

Yunyao Ma, Bettina Weber, Alexandra Kratz, José Raggio, Claudia Colesie, Maik Veste, Maaike Y. Bader, and Philipp Porada

Abstract. Biocrusts are a worldwide phenomenon, contributing substantially to ecosystem functioning. Their growth and survival depend on multiple environmental factors, including climatic conditions. While the physiological responses of biocrusts to individual environmental factors have been examined in laboratory experiments, the relative importance of these factors along climatic gradients is largely unknown. Moreover, it is not fully understood how acclimation of biocrusts may alter the relative impacts of certain factors. We aim here at determining the relative effects of environmental factors on biocrusts along climatic gradients, using the carbon balance of biocrust organisms as a measure of their performance. Additionally, we explore the role that seasonal acclimation plays in the carbon balance of biocrusts. We applied a data-driven mechanistic model at six study sites along a climatic gradient to simulate the annual carbon balance of biocrusts dominated by different lichen and moss species. Furthermore, we performed several sensitivity analyses to investigate the relative importance of driving factors, thereby including the impacts of acclimation. Our modeling approach suggests substantial effects of light intensity and relative humidity in temperate regions, while air temperature has the strongest impact at alpine sites. In drylands, ambient CO2 concentration and also the amount of rainfall are important drivers of the carbon balance of biocrusts. Seasonal acclimation is a key feature, mostly in temperate regions, affecting biocrust functioning. We conclude that climate change, which may lead to warmer and, in some regions, drier air, will potentially have large effects on long-term carbon balances of biocrusts at global scale. Moreover, we highlight the key role of seasonal acclimation, which suggests that the season and timing of collecting and monitoring biocrusts should be given additional consideration in experimental investigations, especially when measurements are used as the basis for quantitative estimates and forecasts.

Yunyao Ma et al.

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on bg-2022-179', Anonymous Referee #1, 12 Dec 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Yunyao Ma, 12 Feb 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on bg-2022-179', Anonymous Referee #2, 21 Dec 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Yunyao Ma, 12 Feb 2023

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on bg-2022-179', Anonymous Referee #1, 12 Dec 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Yunyao Ma, 12 Feb 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on bg-2022-179', Anonymous Referee #2, 21 Dec 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Yunyao Ma, 12 Feb 2023

Yunyao Ma et al.

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Short summary
Our study found while air temperature, ambient CO2 concentration, light intensity, and relative humidity are key drivers for annual carbon (C) balance, their relative impacts vary markedly among climatic zones. Moreover, seasonal acclimation may alter the C balance substantially at humid sites. Our study implies that climate change may have large effects on biocrust C balance at global scale, and suggests covering different seasons when measuring physiological traits to account for acclimation.
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