Siberian vegetation cover response to projected future climate change

Vegetation plays a key role in the global climate system via modification of the water and energy balance. Response of different vegetation types to present and projected climatic conditions was assessed for Siberia. The study was performed using JSBACH land surface model with atmospheric conditions obtained from INMCM4 modelling results. A climate change was determined according to the RCP 8.5 scenario. A geographical redistribution of extratropical forest and grass vegetation and weakening of a canopy ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere were obtained for climate warming conditions for Siberia. It was established that Eastern Siberia is more sensitive to climate forcing than Western Siberia.