Modelling the influence of biotic plant stress on atmospheric aerosol particle processes throughout a growing season

Abstract. Most trees emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) continuously throughout their life, but the rate of emission and spectrum emitted VOCs become substantially altered when experience stress. Despite this, models to predict emissions do not account for perturbations caused by biotic plant Considering that such stresses have generally been forecast increase in both frequency severity future climate, neglect stress-induced might be one key obstacles realistic climate change predictions, since changes VOC concentrations are known greatly influence atmospheric aerosol processes. Thus, we constructed a model study impact on new particle formation growth full growing season. We simulated processes herbivory European gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) autumnal (Epirrita autumnata) feeding pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) mountain birch (Betula pubescens var. pumila), respectively, also fungal infections balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera suaveolens) powdery mildew (Erysiphe alphitoides) rust (Melampsora larici-populina), respectively. Our modelling results indicate all investigated capable perturbing number size particles atmospherically relevant conditions, with increases amount newly formed up about an order magnitude additional daily almost 50 nm. showed it can more important local regional predictions during time infestation or infection than significant variations in, e.g. leaf area index temperature light which currently main parameters controlling emissions. thus demonstrates stress highly relevant. To validate our findings, field measurements urgently needed quantify role making integration responses into numerical prediction chemistry physics, including projection models, possible.