Why the Effect of CO2 on Potential Evapotranspiration Estimation Should Be Considered in Future Climate

Potential evapotranspiration (PET) is an important factor that needs to be considered in regional water management and allocation; thus, the reasonable estimation of PET topic hydrometeorology other related fields. There evidence increased CO2 concentration alters physiological properties vegetation thus affects PET. In this study, changes with without effect over China investigated using seven CMIP6-GCMs outputs under shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) based scenarios (SSP1-1.9, SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, SSP4-3.4, SSP4-6.0, SSP5-8.5), as well contribution rate on different climatic regions. Changes estimated modified Penman–Monteith (PM) method considers compared traditional PM examine how quantity varies (differences) between these two approaches. The results show values by methods explored opposite trends 1961–2014 entire China; it decreases consideration but increases CO2. future, overall projected increase all during 2015–2100 for its three sub-regions. generally tends grow slower when taken into account (modified approach), than not (traditional method). terms differences methods, difference adopted sub-regions period. anticipated continuously SSP3-7.0 SSP5-8.5. Spatially, a much greater extent found arid region. Across region, highest at 138% mid-term (2041–2060) respect 1995–2014 period, whereas long-term period (2081–2100). Importantly, most dominant (−154.2% contribution) have great across Our findings suggest ignorance will result significant overestimation However, beneficial formulating strategies future resource sustainable development local scale.