Indirect effects of rising CO2 levels on ecosystems more important than previously thought

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-10/uos-ieo102616.php

Public Release: 26-Oct-2016
Indirect effects of rising CO2 levels on ecosystems more important than previously thought
University of Southampton

The indirect effects of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, such as changes in soil moisture and plant structure, can have a bigger impact on ecosystems than previously thought.

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A study, involving researchers from the University of Southampton, found that water-limited ecosystems in arid and semi-arid regions, such as The Great Plains and South-West United States and some in Australia and Mediterranean Europe, were particularly impacted by these indirect effects. For those ecosystems, the importance of the indirect effects was as much as or in some cases, greater than, the direct effects.

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