Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2024-145
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2024-145
17 May 2024
 | 17 May 2024
Status: a revised version of this preprint was accepted for the journal HESS and is expected to appear here in due course.

Future response of ecosystem water use efficiency to CO2 effects in the Yellow River Basin, China

Siwei Chen, Yuxue Guo, Yue-Ping Xu, and Lu Wang

Abstract. Ecosystem Water Use Efficiency (WUE) is pivotal for understanding the carbon-water cycle interplay. Current research seldom addresses how WUE might change under future elevated CO2 concentrations, limiting understanding of regional ecohydrological effects. We present a land-atmosphere attribution framework for WUE in the Yellow River Basin (YRB), integrating the Budyko model with global climate models (GCMs) to quantify the impacts of climate and underlying surface changes induced by CO2. Additionally, we further quantitatively decoupled the direct and secondary impacts of CO2 radiative and biogeochemical effects. Attribution results indicate that WUE in the YRB is projected to increase by 0.36–0.84 gC·kg-1H2O in the future, with climate change being the predominant factor (relative contribution rate of 77.9–101.4 %). However, as carbon emissions intensify, the relative importance of land surface changes becomes increasingly important (respective contribution rates of -1.4 %, 14.9 %, 16.9 %, and 22.1 % in SSP126, SSP245, SSP370, SSP585). Typically, WUE is considered a reflection of an ecosystem's adaptability to water stress. Thus, we analyzed the response of WUE under different scenarios and periods and various drought conditions. The results show a distinct "two-stage" response pattern of WUE to drought in the YRB, where WUE increases under moderate-severe drought conditions but decreases as drought intensifies across most areas. Furthermore, GCM projections suggest that plant adaptability to water stress may improve under higher carbon emission scenarios. Our findings enhance understanding of regional ecohydrological processes and provide insights for future predictions of drought impacts on terrestrial ecosystems.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Siwei Chen, Yuxue Guo, Yue-Ping Xu, and Lu Wang

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on hess-2024-145', Anonymous Referee #1, 06 Jun 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Siwei Chen, 08 Aug 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on hess-2024-145', Anonymous Referee #2, 02 Aug 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Siwei Chen, 08 Aug 2024

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on hess-2024-145', Anonymous Referee #1, 06 Jun 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Siwei Chen, 08 Aug 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on hess-2024-145', Anonymous Referee #2, 02 Aug 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Siwei Chen, 08 Aug 2024
Siwei Chen, Yuxue Guo, Yue-Ping Xu, and Lu Wang
Siwei Chen, Yuxue Guo, Yue-Ping Xu, and Lu Wang

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Short summary
Our research explores how increased CO2 levels affect water use efficiency in the Yellow River Basin. Using updated climate models, we found that future climate change significantly impacts water efficiency, leading to improved plant resilience against moderate droughts. These findings help predict how ecosystems might adapt to environmental changes, providing essential insights for managing water resources under varying climate conditions.