Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : A study on changes in the vegetation and land surface dryness in present and future climate

현재 및 미래기후에서의 식생 및 지면 건조도 변화에 대한 연구

Auteur : Chang-Eui Park

Université de soutenance : Seoul National University

Grade : Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 2016

Résumé partiel
Historical observations show various responses to global warming over the land surface, one of important elements of Earths climate system as well as living place of humanity. Among those responses over the land, both changes in vegetation and land surface dryness are regarded as two major phenomena. Vegetation, occupies about 70% of whole land surface, is a key element of both physical and chemical processes over the land surface. Exact understanding of the vegetation change and its feedback influences on climate is essential for both investigating observed climate change and projection of future climate. Changes in land surface dryness are invisible, but important for the hydrological condition over the land, largely influences on agriculture and water management. Thus, researches on changes in both vegetation and land surface dryness contribute to mitigate risks of climate change because of both vegetation and land surface dryness has numerous socio-economic impacts on society. The present dissertation provides remarkable results of three studies about changes in vegetation and land surface dryness.

Conclusions of the present thesis suggest three meaningful implications. 1) Moistening by enhanced vegetation feedback may prevent aridification under climatic warming especially in areas vulnerable to climate change, with consequent implication for mitigation strategies. 2) The spatial distribution of plant habitat is projected to change quickly over countries of low economic power located on Asia and Africa. It is important to establish international collaboration via which developed countries provide assistance to mitigate the impacts of global warming. 3) The global warming sharply increases atmospheric water demands, inducing the risk of drying out over the land surface. Water management plans should consider the ongoing trend of drying accompanied by warming to mitigate the water scarcity in future.

Mots clés : Vegetation Change ; Land Surface Dryness ; Climate Change ; Vegetation Feedback ; Aridity Index ; Atmospheric Water Demand

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