Climate change from plant physiological responses to increasing atmospheric CO2

Plant physiological response to rising CO₂ (iCO₂) has been well explored by theory and in-situ experiments. Earth system models incorporating this mechanism with improved fidelity provide opportunities to understand its regional and global climate effects. Here, I will describe the current understanding of temperature and hydrological changes induced by plant physiology response to iCO₂. Idealized model simulations support the dominance of stomatal closure in decreasing transpiration, contributing to global warming, and significantly altering tropical precipitation. The hydrological response can be the opposite for temperate forestation programs with increased leaf area index, vegetation canopy cover, and relatively slower CO₂ increase rate. Plant physiology and deforestation synergistically contribute to declined precipitation, warming, reduced aboveground carbon storage, and thus tipping potential of Amazon rainforests