More than carbon sequestration: Biophysical climate benefits of restored savanna woodlands

• DOI: 10.1038/srep29194
• Publication Date: 2016-07-04T09:43:50Z
• Authors: Jozef I. Syktus; Clive A. McAlpine
• Keywords: Carbon fibers

Abstract Deforestation and climate change are interconnected represent major environmental challenges. Here, we explore the capacity of regional-scale restoration marginal agricultural lands to savanna woodlands in Australia reduce warming drying resulting from increased concentration greenhouse gases. We show that triggers a positive feedback loop between land surface atmosphere, characterised by evaporative fraction, eddy dissipation turbulent mixing boundary-layer enhanced cloud formation precipitation over restored regions. The evapotranspiration results deep-rooted woody vegetation access soil moisture. As consequence, increase provides additional moisture trees, thus reinforcing loop. Restoration reduced rate under transient radiative forcing gas emissions (RCP8.5). At continental scale, average summer for all areas was 0.18 o C 4.1 period 2056–2075 compared 1986–2005. For regions (representing 20% Australia), averaged temperature 3.2 °C which is 0.82 cooler landscapes. Further, there reduction 12% near-surface