Cooling outweighs warming across phenological transitions in the Northern Hemisphere

[Geoengineering News]

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501844122

Authors: Yizhuo Li, Lin Meng, Andrew D. Richardson, et al.

September 8, 2025

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2501844122

Significance

Vegetation plays a pivotal role in regulating Earth’s climate through biophysical processes, yet its intraseasonal impacts on land surface temperature (LST) remain poorly understood. This study reveals that vegetation foliage exerts a dominant surface cooling effect during phenological transitions in mid- to high-latitude forests, with amplified cooling under climate warming in many regions. These findings provide insights into vegetation–climate interactions, emphasizing the critical role of phenology in temperature regulation. By quantifying the cooling effects of vegetation at an unprecedented intraseasonal scale, the results highlight the potential of vegetation management strategies, such as afforestation and seasonal planning, to mitigate climate warming and enhance ecosystem resilience, offering actionable guidance for sustainable climate adaptation.

Source: PNAS