Albedo-Induced Global Warming Potential Following Disturbances in Global Temperate and Boreal Forests

Forest disturbances can result in very different canopies that carry elevated albedo, thus causing substantial cooling effects on the climate. Unfortunately, the resulting dynamic global warming potential from altered albedo (GWP Delta alpha) is poorly understood. We examined and modeled the changes in albedo over time after disturbances (i.e., forest age) by forest type, disturbance type and geographic location using direct measurements from 107 sites in temperate and boreal regions. Albedo in undisturbed forests was used as the reference to calculate albedo changes (Delta alpha) and GWP Delta alpha after a disturbance. We found that age is a significant factor for predicting albedo amid the obvious regulations from forest type and geographic locations. We found the strongest cooling GWP Delta alpha in the first 10 years after a disturbance, but it decreased rapidly with time. The changes in GWP Delta alpha were very different from the chronosequence of net ecosystem production (NEP). In the first decade after disturbances, GWP Delta alpha was negative (i.e., cooling) and surprisingly larger in magnitude, with an average of -0.609 kg CO2 m-2 yr-1, compared to NEP of -0.166 kg CO2 m-2 yr-1. Albedo continued to decrease and approached pre-disturbance levels until around 50 years, resulting in a nearly zero GWP Delta alpha. This research illustrates that many forests in temperate and boreal regions can be considered significant cooling agents by taking into account the high albedo of young forests following disturbances. After forest disturbances, the removal of dense canopies exposes brighter surfaces, leading to higher surface albedo. Changes in albedo, which affect the reflection of solar energy from the Earth's surface, can have different climate impacts of greenhouse gases emissions like CO2. In this study, we used in situ observations to model how albedo changes over time following forest disturbances. We also assessed the climate impacts of these albedo changes, taking into account their temporal dynamics. Our results show that the age of the forest is the most significant factor influencing albedo dynamics after disturbances. However, the trajectory of albedo dynamics also depends on the forest types and disturbance types. We found that the elevated albedo in forests after disturbances accounts for substantial cooling effects in the first 20 years that is comparable to the effect of net ecosystem production (NEP). Understanding the dynamic of albedo following forest disturbances is essential for quantifying the climate impacts, especially as more forests are experiencing disturbances induced by human activities. Age, forest type, and disturbance type significantly influence post-disturbance albedo dynamics, with age having the most substantial impact Elevated albedo in forests after disturbances exerts a dominant cooling effect within the first 20 years of succession Quantifying the climate impact of changing albedo post-disturbance should consider the successional trajectory, as its effects are highly time-sensitive