U.S. - Japan Workshop on Monsoon Asia Tropical Forest Carbon Dynamics and Sustainability

University Of Arizona, Tucson AZ

Investigators

Abstract

OISE-0703946 (Huete, University of Arizona) U.S.-Japan Workshop on Monsoon Asia Tropical Forest Carbon Dynamics and Sustainability Abstract Tropical forest ecosystems comprise a major and critical component of the global Earth system through their role in biogeochemical cycling and climate, and as principal reservoirs of the planet's biological diversity. Despite their enormous importance, the mechanisms of tropical forest functioning remain poorly understood. In Monsoon Asia, an understanding of the impact of environment (e.g. light and moisture) and human factors on tropical forest sustainability becomes particularly urgent, given the region's large and growing human population and their increasing exploitation of important renewable and non-renewable resources. This award supports a 2.5 day U.S.-Jpaan workshop in Fall 2007 at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature in Kyoto, Japan to convene scientists and students to exchange information and frame cross-disciplinary research directions on tropical forest functioning and dynamic human-nature interactions in Monsoon Asia. This will be followed by a site visit to two flux towers and a real-time satellite processing center in Thailand. This effort will capitalize on untapped synergies (field plot, tower, satellite, and modeling) in current scientific efforts in Japan and the U.S. in the area of tropical forest dynamics and human-climate interactions. It will bring together leading experts and students involved in research over neotropical and Monsoon Asia tropical forests.