Phenology of Ecosystem Processes: Applications in Global Change Research

About the Book

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.

Table of Contents:
Phenological Phenomena.- Climatic and Phenological Controls of the Carbon and Energy Balances of Three Contrasting Boreal Forest Ecosystems in Western Canada.- Characterizing the Seasonal Dynamics of Plant Community Photosynthesis Across a Range of Vegetation Types.- The Phenology of Gross Ecosystem Productivity and Ecosystem Respiration in Temperate Hardwood and Conifer Chronosequences.- Phenological Differences Between Understory and Overstory.- Phenology of Forest-Atmosphere Carbon Exchange for Deciduous and Coniferous Forests in Southern and Northern New England.- Influence of Phenology and Land Management on Biosphere-Atmosphere Isotopic CO2 Exchange.- Biological Feedbacks.- Phenology of Plant Production in the Northwestern Great Plains: Relationships with Carbon Isotope Discrimination, Net Ecosystem Productivity and Ecosystem Respiration.- Is Temporal Variation of Soil Respiration Linked to the Phenology of Photosynthesis?.- The Annual Cycle of Development of Trees and Process-Based Modelling of Growth to Scale Up From the Tree To the Stand.- Upscaling and Global View.- Remote Sensing Phenology.- Land Surface Phenology.

About the Author :

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

Review :
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)