Global vegetation, moisture, thermal and climate interactions intensify compound extreme events
File version
Version of Record (VoR)
Author(s)
Zhou, Wen
Ndehedehe, Christopher E
Wang, Xuan
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
Abstract
Compound extreme events, encompassing drought, vegetation stress, wildfire severity, and heatwave intensity (CDVWHS), pose significant threats to societal, environmental, and health systems. Understanding the intricate relationships governing CDVWHS evolution and their interaction with climate teleconnections is crucial for effective climate adaptation strategies. This study leverages remote sensing, reanalysis data, and climate models to analyze CDVWHS during historical (1982–2014), near-future (2028–2060), and far-future (2068–2100) periods under two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP; 245 and 585). Our results show that reduced vegetation health, unfavorable temperature conditions, and low moisture conditions have negligible effects on vegetation density. However, they worsen the intensity of heatwaves and increase the risk of wildfires. Wildfires can persist when thermal conditions are poor despite favorable moisture levels. For example, despite adequate moisture availability, we link the 2012 Siberian wildfire in the Ob basin to anomalous negative thermal conditions and concurrent unfavorable thermal-moisture conditions. In contrast, the Amazon experiences extreme and exceptional drought associated with unfavorable moisture conditions in the same year. A comparative analysis of Siberian and North American fires reveals distinct burned area anomalies due to variations in vegetation density and wildfire fuel. The North American fires have lower positive anomalies in burned areas because of negative anomalous vegetation density, which reduced the amount of wildfire fuel. Furthermore, we examine basin-specific variability in climate teleconnections related to compound CDVWHS, revealing the primary modes of variability and evolution of CDVWHS through climate teleconnection patterns. Moreover, a substantial increase in the magnitude of heatwave severity emerges between the near and far future under SSP 585. This study underscores the urgency for targeted actions to enhance ecosystem resilience and safeguard vulnerable communities from CDVWHS impacts. Identifying CDVWHS hotspots and comprehending their complex relationships with environmental factors are essential for developing effective adaptation strategies in a changing climate.
Journal Title
Science of The Total Environment
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
912
Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
ARC
Grant identifier(s)
DE230101327
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Climate change impacts and adaptation
Environmental management
Agriculture, land and farm management
Building information modelling and management
Climate change adaptation
Compound extreme events
Drought
Heatwaves
Vegetation stress
Persistent link to this record
Citation
Adeyeri, OE; Zhou, W; Ndehedehe, CE; Wang, X, Global vegetation, moisture, thermal and climate interactions intensify compound extreme events, Science of The Total Environment, 2024, 912, pp. 169261