Carbon use efficiency, and net primary productivity of terrestrial vegetation

Abstract

The carbon use efficiency (CUE), defined as the ratio of net carbon gain to gross carbon assimilation during a period, is a highly significant determinant of primary production of terrestrial plant communities. Available data for CUE is summarized. Then, a model for gross assimilation has been run using satellite and ancillary data to calculate annual net carbon gain or net primary productivity for the global land surface during four year period (1987–1990). The results are compared with other estimates. Interannual variability of 30–50% is found in some of the latitude bands.