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Date of Publication: February 9, 2015
Year of Publication: 2015
Publisher: Guardian News and Media Limited
Author(s): Dana Nuccitellli
Some ecosystems are absorbing less carbon, which could amplify global warming
Dana Nuccitelli reports on the recently published results of a 23-year experiment from the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory designed to assess how global warming is impacting meadowland ecosystems. The results include the finding that global warming promotes a shift in vegetation from flowering plants towards woody plants, and that this shift causes a change in the amount of carbon stored in the soil. Reducing the amount of carbon stored in soil may serve as a positive feedback that accelerates climate change.
Access the original research article via the MAHB Library here: Convergent ecosystem responses to 23-year ambient and manipulated warming link advancing snowmelt and shrub encroachment to transient and long-term climate–soil carbon feedback
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