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Increased precipitation over land due to climate feedback of large-scale bioenergy cultivation

Author

Listed:
  • Zhao Li

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Philippe Ciais

    (Université Paris-Saclay)

  • Jonathon S. Wright

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Yong Wang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Shu Liu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Jingmeng Wang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Laurent Z. X. Li

    (Sorbonne Université, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Ecole Polytechnique)

  • Hui Lu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Xiaomeng Huang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Lei Zhu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Daniel S. Goll

    (Université Paris Saclay, CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, LSCE/IPSL)

  • Wei Li

    (Tsinghua University
    Ministry of Education Ecological Field Station for East Asian Migratory Birds)

Abstract

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is considered to be a key technology for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, large-scale bioenergy crop cultivation results in land cover changes and activates biophysical effects on climate, with earth’s water recycling altered and energy budget re-adjusted. Here, we use a coupled atmosphere-land model with explicit representations of high-transpiration woody (i.e., eucalypt) and low-transpiration herbaceous (i.e., switchgrass) bioenergy crops to investigate the range of impact of large-scale rainfed bioenergy crop cultivation on the global water cycle and atmospheric water recycling. We find that global land precipitation increases under BECCS scenarios, due to enhanced evapotranspiration and inland moisture advection. Despite enhanced evapotranspiration, soil moisture decreases only slightly, due to increased precipitation and reduced runoff. Our results indicate that, at the global scale, the water consumption by bioenergy crop growth would be partially compensated by atmospheric feedbacks. Thus, to support more effective climate mitigation policies, a more comprehensive assessment, including the biophysical effects of bioenergy cultivation, is highly recommended.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhao Li & Philippe Ciais & Jonathon S. Wright & Yong Wang & Shu Liu & Jingmeng Wang & Laurent Z. X. Li & Hui Lu & Xiaomeng Huang & Lei Zhu & Daniel S. Goll & Wei Li, 2023. "Increased precipitation over land due to climate feedback of large-scale bioenergy cultivation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-39803-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39803-9
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