Generalising a root-water uptake mechanism for successful land surface modelling

Funding: 2012: $125,000
2013: $125,000
2014: $125,000

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC DECRA Scheme)

Start year: 2012

Summary: Australian savannas cover 25% of the continent and understanding the impact of climate change on them is a high priority topic of environmental research. Land surface models (LSMs) were used globally in the study of climate-vegetation interactions, but none incorporate root functioning correctly and consequently LSMs cannot represent savanna ecosystem function (carbon and water cycles) correctly. This project will develop and apply a root water uptake model for LSMs, filling the gap between advanced knowledge in root functioning and current LSMs. This will provide valuable applied tools for natural resources managers to account for the consequence of climate change on C uptake and catchment water balances.

Publications:

Cheng, L, Zhang, L, Wang, Y-P, Canadell, JG, Chiew, FHS, Beringer, J, Li, L, Miralles, DG, Piao, S & Zhang, Y 2017, 'Recent increases in terrestrial carbon uptake at little cost to the water cycle', Nature Communications, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1-10.
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Shi, H, Li, L, Eamus, D, Huete, A, Cleverly, J, Tian, X, Yu, Q, Wang, S, Montagnani, L, Magliulo, V, Rotenberg, E, Pavelka, M & Carrara, A 2017, 'Assessing the ability of MODIS EVI to estimate terrestrial ecosystem gross primary production of multiple land cover types', Ecological Indicators, vol. 72, pp. 153-164.
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Cleverly, J, Eamus, D, Luo, Q, Coupe, NR, Kljun, N, Ma, X, Ewenz, C, Li, L, Yu, Q & Huete, A 2016, 'The importance of interacting climate modes on Australia's contribution to global carbon cycle extremes', SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, vol. 6.
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Vuichard, N, Ciais, P, Viovy, N, Li, L, Ceschia, E, Wattenbach, M, Bernhofer, C, Emmel, C, Grünwald, T, Jans, W, Loubet, B & Wu, X 2016, 'Simulating the net ecosystem CO2 exchange and its components over winter wheat cultivation sites across a large climate gradient in Europe using the ORCHIDEE-STICS generic model', Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, vol. 226, pp. 1-17.
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Bai, J, Wang, J, Chen, X, Luo, G, Shi, H, Li, L & Li, J 2015, 'Seasonal and inter-annual variations in carbon fluxes and evapotranspiration over cotton field under drip irrigation with plastic mulch in an arid region of Northwest China', Journal of Arid Land, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 272-284.
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Shi, H, Li, L, Eamus, D, Cleverly, J, Huete, A, Beringer, J, Yu, Q, Van Gorsel, E & Hutley, L 2014, 'Intrinsic climate dependency of ecosystem light and water-use-efficiencies across Australian biomes', ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS, vol. 9, no. 10, pp. 104002-104002.
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Yu, Q, Li, L, Luo, Q, Eamus, D, Xu, S, Chen, C, Wang, E, Liu, J & Nielsen, DC 2014, 'Year patterns of climate impact on wheat yields', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 518-528.
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Zeng, Y, Li, J, Liu, Q, Li, L, Xu, B, Yin, G & Peng, J 2014, 'A Sampling Strategy for Remotely Sensed LAI Product Validation Over Heterogeneous Land Surfaces', IEEE JOURNAL OF SELECTED TOPICS IN APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATIONS AND REMOTE SENSING, vol. 7, no. 7, pp. 3128-3142.
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Li, L, Wang, Y-P, Yu, Q, Pak, B, Eamus, D, Yan, J, van Gorsel, E & Baker, IT 2012, 'Improving the responses of the Australian community land surface model (CABLE) to seasonal drought', JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES, vol. 117, no. 4, p. G04002.
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Keywords: Root-water uptake;Root functioning;Land surface modelling

FOR Codes: Ecological Impacts of Climate Change, Management of Water Consumption by Plant Production, Ecological Physiology, Effects of Climate Change and Variability on Australia (excl. Social Impacts), Climate Change Processes, Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Forest and Woodlands Environments, Ecological impacts of climate change and ecological adaptation, Assessment and management of freshwater ecosystems, Effects of climate change on Australia (excl. social impacts)

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.