El Niño enhances CO₂ uptake by North American vegetation

Science Advances
Published June 5, 2019 | 14:00 EDT
Long-term atmospheric CO₂ observations over North America document persistent responses to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, ocean climate influences. Increased water availability, warmer springs and cooler summers enhances carbon uptake over North America near and during El Niño. The increased uptake from North America partially offsets El Niño-driven increases in atmospheric carbon from the tropics.

Canadian co-author: Doug Worthy, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto – doug.worthy@canada.ca