Continental-Scale Distributions of Vegetation Stable Carbon Isotope Ratios

摘要: The stable carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of terrestrial vegetation is important for a variety applications in fields ranging from biogeochemistry to zoology paleoclimatology. To large degree, spatial patterns plant δ13C are imparted by variations the photosynthetic pathway (C3/C4) topical and subtropical regions. Thus, fractional coverage each type must be known order predict distribution values. Our approach predicting C3/C4 relies on strong ecological sorting C4 plants along temperature gradients, as well near-universal restriction photosynthesis herbaceous growth forms. We build upon previous fractions using finer resolution (500 m) MODIS datasets form (i.e., percent cover herbaceous, woody, bare) crop coverage, with precipitation climatologies. By combining these products, we fraction at continental-to-global scales. present C3 Africa. area land sub-Saharan Africa covered 6.3 million square kilometre, or approximately 31% surface. estimated composition, assuming constant values −27‰ −12‰ biomass. Strong gradients drive producing correspondingly δ13C. These isotopic can used infer such information migratory connectivity birds.