Carbon Exchange and Cumulative NEP of Disturbed Land Mosaics

University Of Toledo, Toledo OH

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract Chen 0129405 Much scientific effort has been expended in measuring CO2 exchanges between vegetation and the atmosphere in an attempt to determine the role of terrestrial ecosystems in the global carbon budget. Most prior efforts have focused on mature forests. However, these may not be representative of the overall landscape mosaic, since most forested landscapes are disturbed by humans, dominated by stands of varying ages, and subject to multiple edge influences. This project uses a spatial modeling approach, supplemented and evaluated with direct field measurements of ecosystem carbon exchange, to understand landscape-level carbon flux, taking into consideration age structure and edge influences. Such a broad-scale endeavor must rely heavily on models and remote sensing techniques because of the practical impossibility of obtaining enough direct flux measurements. This project is among the first to provide strong quantitative information concerning carbon exchange at the landscape level, yet based on ecosystem-level process measurements.