GRACE satellite observed hydrological controls on interannual and seasonal variability in surface greenness over mainland Australia

摘要: Water-limited ecosystems, covering ~50% of the global land, are controlled primarily by hydrologic factors. Because climate change is predicted to markedly alter current hydroclimatic conditions later this century, a better hydrological indicator ecosystem performance warranted improve understanding controls on vegetation and predict changes in future. Here we show that observed total water storage anomaly (TWSA) from Gravity Recovery Climate Experiment (GRACE) can serve as indicator. Using Australian mainland case study, where ecosystems generally limited, found GRACE-observed TWSA explain surface greenness (as measured normalized difference index, NDVI) both interannually seasonally. In addition, shows significant decreasing trend during millennium drought 1997 through 2009 region. However, decline annual mean NDVI same period was mainly driven minimum monthly NDVI, whereas maximum remained relatively constant across biomes. This phenomenon reveals an intrinsic sensitivity availability drought-induced reductions more likely expressed its influence lower months, activities tend recover their level periods when combined environmental favor growth within year despite context prolonged drought.