Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1270
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1270
06 May 2024
 | 06 May 2024

Investigating the global and regional response of drought to idealized deforestation using multiple global climate models

Yan Li, Bo Huang, Chunping Tan, Xia Zhang, Francesco Cherubini, and Henning W. Rust

Abstract. Land use change, particularly deforestation, significantly influences the global climate system. While various studies have explored how deforestation affects temperature and precipitation, its impact on drought remains less explored. Understanding these effects across different climate zones and time scales is crucial for crafting effective land use policies aimed at mitigating climate change. This study seeks to investigate how changes in forest cover affect drought across different time scales and climate zones using simulated deforestation scenarios, where forests are converted to grasslands. The study utilizes data from nine global climate models participating in the Land Use Model Intercomparison Project. Drought effects are assessed by examining changes in the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). The results reveal that deforestation leads to negative shifts in global SPEIs, indicating increased dryness, particularly in tropical regions, while causing wetter conditions in dry regions. Moreover, the impact on drought indices becomes more pronounced with longer time scales, underscoring the lasting effects of deforestation on drought. Seasonally, deforestation exacerbates SPEI03 shifts during autumn and winter, especially affecting tropical and northern polar regions. Continental zones experience significant seasonal changes, becoming drier in winter and wetter in summer due to global deforestation, while the northern hemisphere's dry regions see increased wetter conditions, particularly in autumn. These findings deepen our understanding of the relationship between vegetation change and climate change, offering valuable insights for better resource management and mitigation strategies against future climate change impacts.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Yan Li, Bo Huang, Chunping Tan, Xia Zhang, Francesco Cherubini, and Henning W. Rust

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1270', Wenjian Hua, 16 Aug 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1270', Anonymous Referee #2, 14 Sep 2024
Yan Li, Bo Huang, Chunping Tan, Xia Zhang, Francesco Cherubini, and Henning W. Rust
Yan Li, Bo Huang, Chunping Tan, Xia Zhang, Francesco Cherubini, and Henning W. Rust

Viewed

Total article views: 554 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total Supplement BibTeX EndNote
263 96 195 554 57 27 26
  • HTML: 263
  • PDF: 96
  • XML: 195
  • Total: 554
  • Supplement: 57
  • BibTeX: 27
  • EndNote: 26
Views and downloads (calculated since 06 May 2024)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 06 May 2024)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 578 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 578 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 06 Dec 2024
Download
Short summary
Forest cover changes primarily affect the global climate system by altering the energy and water balance on the surface. This study explores how large-scale deforestation impacts drought across diverse climate zones and time scales. Results reveal drier conditions in tropics but wetter climates in arid regions post-deforestation. Minimal impact observed in temperate zones. Long-term drought is more affected than short-term. These insights enhance understanding of vegetation-climate dynamics.