Warming homogenizes apparent temperature sensitivity of ecosystem respiration

Abstract

Warming-induced carbon loss through terrestrial ecosystem respiration (Re) is likely getting stronger in high latitudes and cold regions because of the more rapid warming and higher temperature sensitivity of Re (Q ₁₀). However, it is not known whether the spatial relationship between Q ₁₀ and temperature also holds temporally under a future warmer climate. Here, we analyzed apparent Q ₁₀ values derived from multiyear observations at 74 FLUXNET sites spanning diverse climates and biomes. We found warming-induced decline in Q ₁₀ is stronger at colder regions than other locations, which is consistent with a meta-analysis of 54 field warming experiments across the globe. We predict future warming will shrink the global variability of Q ₁₀ values to an average of 1.44 across the globe under a high emission trajectory (RCP 8.5) by the end of the century. Therefore, warming-induced carbon loss may be less than previously assumed because of Q ₁₀ homogenization in a warming world.