Biosphere-atmosphere interactions and seasonality in the continental Tropics

February 22, 2016

Pierre Gentine

Hosted by Eric Maloney

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Abstract

The seasonal cycle in the continental Tropics remains poorly understood. Climate models for instance do not reproduce the main features of tropical climates and exhibit major deficiencies in the Amazon with incorrect phase of photosynthesis and evapotranspiration.

In this presentation I will present how the diurnal and seasonal cycles of the hydrologic cycles are intertwined, using the weak temperature gradient approximation and in situ observations. These results will emphasize the role of early morning fog as a key switch and regulator of rainforest seasonality.

We will then show that we can quantify the feedbacks between the biosphere and the atmosphere using new statistical techniques and remote sensing products. This highlights regions of strong biosphere-atmopshere interactions (important on sub to seasonal time scales) and how plants regulate the surface hydrological cycle (transpiration) through either stomata closure or xylem cavitation (embolism in the xylem bringing water to the stomata).