Sink suppression
Nature Geoscience
July 30, 2012

The turn of the century drought in western North America significantly reduced carbon uptake in the region, reports a study published online in Nature Geoscience this week. Fossil fuel emissions aside, temperate North America currently serves as a net sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Christopher Schwalm and colleagues used satellite and observational data to assess the impact of the 2000-2004 drought in western North America on carbon uptake in the region. They show that carbon uptake declined by around 50% during the drought. Based on projected changes in rainfall and drought severity, they suggest that the present-day carbon sink in western North America could disappear by the end of the century.
doi:10.1038/ngeo1529
Research highlights
-
Jan 22
Palaeontology: Fossil burrows point to colonization of ancient seafloor by giant marine wormsScientific Reports
-
Jan 21
Climate change: Lake heatwaves likely to increase by 2100Nature
-
Jan 21
Neuroscience: Cognitive decline eased by boosting macrophage metabolismNature
-
Jan 21
Sociology: Hiring discrimination against individuals from minority ethnic groups in SwitzerlandNature
-
Jan 19
Neuroscience: Non-invasive, personalized brain stimulation may reduce obsessive–compulsive behavioursNature Medicine
-
Jan 15
Environment: Seagrass meadows may facilitate marine plastic removal from the seaScientific Reports