Reference
Cao, M., Prince, S.D., Small, J. and Goetz, S.J. 2004. Remotely sensed interannual variations and trends in terrestrial net primary productivity 1981-2000. Ecosystems 7: 233-242.
What was done
In a study described by its authors as "the first attempt to quantify interannual variations in NPP [net primary production] at the global scale," NPP values at 8-km and 10-day resolutions were derived, using variables based almost entirely on satellite observations, for the period 1981-2000, as described in the Global Production Efficiency Model (GLO-PEM), which consists, in the words of the authors, "of linked components that describe the processes of canopy radiation absorption, utilization, autotrophic respiration, and the regulation of these processes by environmental factors (Prince and Goward, 1995; Goetz et al., 2000)."
What was learned
Cao et al. report that over the last two decades of the 20th century, when the heat was on, "there was an increasing trend toward enhanced terrestrial NPP," which they say was "caused mainly by increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide and precipitation."
What it means
The authors conclude their study by stating that their "estimated spatio-temporal changes in NPP reflect the response of this important indicator of ecosystem health [our italics] to global climatic phenomena such as warming, ENSO cycles, and increases in atmospheric CO2." Apparently, the biosphere likes it hot, with elevated levels of CO2 being the "icing on the cake."
And this is what climate alarmists would have us forsake? Shame on them! With everything mankind really does to damage the biosphere, it needs all the help we can give it, including every molecule of CO2 we release to the atmosphere with every breath we exhale ? and with every ounce of every fossil fuel we burn for useful and productive purposes.
References
Goetz, S.J., Prince, S.D., Small, J., Gleason, A.C.R. and Thawley, M.M. 2000. Interannual variability of global terrestrial primary production: reduction of a model driven with satellite observations. Journal of Geophysical Research 105: 20,007-20,091.
Prince, S.D. and Goward, S.N. 1995. Global primary production: a remote sensing approach. Journal of Biogeography 22: 815-835.
Reviewed 18 August 2004