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Parameters for global ecosystem models

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Abstract

We agree that the Terrestrial Ecosystem Model analyses by Tianet al.1 of carbon fluxes of Amazonian ecosystems represent a methodological improvement compared with extrapolation from site-specific estimates2, especially with regard to spatial resolution. However, the resolution of a model cannot be finer than that of the input data, and Tian et al. disregard one important group of ecosystems: peatlands. This is understandable, as the literature grossly underestimates the extent of peatlands in Amazonia. Our estimate is 150,000 km2, ten times more than previously reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Section of Ecology, University of Turku, FIN-20014, Turku, Finland

    Leif Schulman, Kalle Ruokolainen & Hanna Tuomisto

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  1. Leif Schulman
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  2. Kalle Ruokolainen
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  3. Hanna Tuomisto
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Schulman, L., Ruokolainen, K. & Tuomisto, H. Parameters for global ecosystem models. Nature 399, 535–536 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/21100

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