CLIMATE, VEGETATION, AND GLOBAL CARBON-CYCLE - THE SIMPLEST ZERO-DIMENSIONAL MODEL

The mechanisms of interaction between climate and biosphere are studie d for some hypothetical zero-dimensional (point) planet, where all par ameters are globally averaged over the two-dimensional surface of the planet, which is without ocean. These mechanisms are formed by two cau sal loops: vegetation --> albedo --> temperature --> vegetation and ve getation reversible arrow atmospheric carbon --> temperature --> veget ation with a strong non-linear interaction. Using the conservation law for the total amount of carbon in the system and taking into account the assumption about quasi-stationary evolution of the system under an thropogenic CO2 emission, we reduce the dimension of the basic system of differential equations to two. The reduced system is then studied b y qualitative methods. The system can have up to five equilibria, thre e of them can be stable. Here there are two bifurcation parameters: to tal amount of carbon (A) and product of maximal plant productivity and residence time of carbon in the biota. Considering the system evoluti on under increase of A, we can observe the change of the planet 'statu s' from 'cold desert' to 'green cold planet' (first bifurcation), then a 'tropical planet' arises (second bifurcation), and, as a result of further increase of carbon in the system, the planet transforms to a ' hot desert'. In conclusion the model was calculated for 'quasi-Earth' values of parameters. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.