Phenology of Ecosystem Processes: Applications in Global Change Research

ISBN-13: 9781489981080 / Angielski / Miękka / 2014 / 275 str.

Asko Noormets

Opis

Terrestrial carbon balance is uncertain at the regional and global scale. A significant source of variability in mid-latitude ecosystems is related to the timing and duration of phenological phases. Spring phenology, in particular, has disproportionate effects on the annual carbon balance. However, the traditional phenological indices that are based on leaf-out and flowering times of select indicator species are not universally amenable for predicting the temporal dynamics of ecosystem carbon and water exchange. Phenology of Ecosystem Processes evaluates current applications of traditional phenology in carbon and H2O cycle research, as well as the potential to identify phenological signals in ecosystem processes themselves. The book summarizes recent progress in the understanding of the seasonal dynamics of ecosystem carbon and H2O fluxes, the novel use of various methods (stable isotopes, time-series, forward and inverse modeling), and the implications for remote sensing and global carbon cycle modeling. Each chapter includes a literature review, in order to present the state-of-the-science in the field and enhance the book s usability as an educational aid, as well as a case study to exemplify the use and applicability of various methods. Chapters that apply a specific methodology summarize the successes and challenges of particular methods for quantifying the seasonal changes in ecosystem carbon, water and energy fluxes. The book will benefit global change researchers, modelers, and advanced students.
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Recenzje

From the reviews: "This edited volume extends the traditional organismal focus of phenology to include ecosystem-level processes ... . This volume is most appropriate for scientists interested in understanding and tracking temporal (diel, seasonal, interannual) dynamics of carbon across a variety of spatial scales ... . cleverly illustrates the relationship between structure and function over time, with standard acronyms serving as codes to more experienced scientists. ... chapters contain content, detail, and analyses that would be most appropriate for the advanced undergraduate student and beyond." (Jake F. Weltzin, Ecology, Vol. 91 (6), June, 2010)

Spis treści

Introduction.- Section I: The Seasonal Dynamics of Ecosystem C and H2O Exchange: Links Between Aboveground and Belowground Processes of Respiration As Affected by Phenology.- Partitioning ER to Ra and Rh.- Evapotranspiration and Energy Partitioning.- The Timing of Seasonal Transitions in GEP and ER in a Hardwood and Conifer Chronosequence, and the Effect of Moisture Dynamics.- Interannual Variation in Spring and Fall Transitions in ET and NEE.- Delineating Phenological Signal in Time-Series Data.- Upper vs. Understory Phenology and its Significance for H2O and C Exchange.- Seasonal and Annual Variation in Ecosystem Photosynthesis and Respiration in a Grassland of the Northern Great Plains.- Section II: Remote Sensing Phenology: Overview of the Basics of Index Development, Successes, Challenges. Goals and Compromises; Integration of Scales.- Local Heterogeneity and Validating Remote Sensing Phenology Indices.- The Applicability of MODIS Phenology Indices, Strengths and Weaknesses.- Synthesis – State-of-the-Science and Remaining Challenges.- Index.

O autorze

Asko Noormets is Research Assistant Professor at the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, North Carolina State University.

Blurb

Changes in the seasonal timing of ecosystem carbon, water and energy exchange are key sources of variation in biosphere-atmosphere feedbacks. Referencing this variability to traditional phenological events, such as bud break or flowering, introduces additional uncertainty with little mechanistic relationship to the process of interest. Instead, the seasonal cycles of each process must be understood in the context of biological and environmental factors that affect it. Some processes, like photosynthesis, are represented with high degree of realism and accuracy in several existing ecosystem process models, whereas others still have significant uncertainties. This volume summarizes the current understanding of the seasonality of ecosystem carbon and water cycles in the temperate and boreal zones using eight case studies, highlighting sources of variability, necessary additional measurements and novel ways to analyze existing datasets. It also includes syntheses of the interaction between water and carbon fluxes as mediated by constraints from plant anatomy to the ecosystem level. This book is intended as a reference for researchers and graduate students in ecosystem ecology, modeling, climate change, phenology and land surface phenology, and as supplementary material for advanced courses in ecosystem or community ecology and biometeorology.

About the editor:

Asko Noormets is Research Assistant Professor at the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, North Carolina State University.