Production of Picea abies in south-east Norway in response to climate change: A case study using process-based model simulation with field validation

A process-based model was used to simulate biomass production of Norway spruce under both current climate and climate change scenarios. The model was parameterized for Nordmoen in south-east Norway using real climate data for the period 1987-1989. The model was applied to predict the biomass production responses to three climate change scenarios. The results showed that net primary production (NPP) increased by 7% under an elevated annual mean air temperature of 4 deg C from the current 10.1 t dry mass/ha/yr. A doubled current ambient CO2 concentration significantly increased NPP by 36%. The scenario of both elevated temperature and elevated CO2 concentration led to an increase in the NPP of 49%, higher than the sum of the two effects acting singly. The results also showed that forest production responses to climate change depend on the conditions of climate used for reference