Changes in biophysical climate regulation services from converting native grassland to bioenergy production in the US Midwest

Xuesong Zhang, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, xuesong.zhang@pnnl.gov (Presenter)
Kaiguang Zhao, Ohio State University, zhao.1423@osu.edu
Michael Abraha, Michigan State University, abraha@msu.edu
Ilya Gelfand, Michigan State University, ilya.gelfand@kbs.msu.edu
Roberto C. Izaurralde, University of Maryland, cizaurra@umd.edu
Allison M. Thomson, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, allison.thomson@pnnl.gov
Steve K. Hamilton, Michigan State University, hamilton@kbs.msu.edu
Jiquan Chen, Michigan State University, jqchen@msu.edu
G. Philip Robertson, Michigan State University, robert30@msu.edu
Min Xu, University of Maryland, minxu@umd.edu
Xin-Zhong Liang, University of Maryland, xliang@umd.edu

Land use conversion to bioenergy crops production not only alters biogeochemical cycles, but also modifies surface biophysics, such as albedo, surface roughness, rooting depth, stomatal conductance, and leaf area. These biophysical perturbations subsequently change radiation budget at land surface and land-atmosphere exchange in sensible heat, evapotranspiration (ET), and momentum fluxes, and ultimately influence atmospheric temperature, moisture, and circulation patterns. In this research, we combine in situ field measurements and remote sensing observations to improve our understanding of changes in biophysical climate regulation services from converting grassland to perennial bioenergy crops. In the US Midwest, albedo change as a result of cultivating native grassland for cellulosic bioenergy feedstocks could enhance the net greenhouse gases (GHGs) mitigation benefit of cellulosic bioenergy production (116.5 MgCO2 ha-1) by 20% over a time horizon of 50 years. With an integrated climate-agroecosystem model, parameterized with in situ and remote sensing data, we further demonstrate that considering interactions between agroecosystem processes and atmospheric circulation could result in noticeable difference in simulated regional climate (e.g. precipitation, temperature, and radiation budget), highlighting the importance of additionally including biophysical climate services in evaluating land-based mitigation activities, such as bioenergy production.

Presentation Type:  Poster

Session:  Theme 4: Human influence on global ecosystems   (Mon 4:30 PM)

Associated Project(s): 

• Zhang, Xuesong: Anticipating Agroecosystem Impacts of and Feedbacks to Climate Change in the Midwest US through Integration of a Coupled Climate-Agroecosystem Model with Satellite Data ...details

Poster Location ID: 97