Approaches to Scaling of Trace Gas Fluxes in Ecosystems


Book Description

This excellent book covers techniques used for extrapolating measurements of trace gas fluxes and factors regulating the production, consumption and exchange of trace gases in terrestrial and aquatic environments.It provides a comprehensive summary of all aspects of scaling, from flux measurement techniques, geographic data, modelling, use of tracers and isotopes, inverse modelling and satellite-borne atmospheric observations. An interesting feature of the book is the fact that both fluxes from terrestrial and aquatic (marine) sources are discussed, along with the uncertainties in estimates of trace gas fluxes at different scales, including point, field, landscape, regional and global scale.As well as reviewing the state of the art in the field of scaling of fluxes of greenhouse gases, ozone and aerosol and their precursors, and acidifying compounds, the emphasis of this volume is on identification of gaps in knowledge, finding solutions, and determination of future research directions.




Optimizing Nitrogen Management in Food and Energy Production and Environmental Protection


Book Description

The production of food and energy interfere with the natural nitrogen cycle of the earth. Many of these changes are beneficial, while others are detrimental to societies and the environment. The changing nature of nitrogen in the global environment crosses scientific disciplines, geographical boundaries and political divisions and challenges the creative minds of natural and social scientists, economists, engineers, business leaders and planners. The papers in this book give readers a panoramic view of the changing nature of reactive nitrogen in the global environment, enabling them to make better choices about nitrogen management in food production and consumption, energy production and use, and environmental protection.




The Continental-Scale Greenhouse Gas Balance of Europe


Book Description

This book assesses the current greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring capabilities of Europe, identifies and quantifies the uncertainties involved, and outlines the direction to a continental scale GHG monitoring network. The book uniquely addresses both the methodology of carbon cycle science and the science itself, providing a synthesis of carbon cycle science. The methods included provide the first comprehensive coverage of a full GHG accounting and monitoring system.







Methods in Ecosystem Science


Book Description

Ecology at the ecosystem level has both necessitated and benefited from new methods and technologies as well as those adapted from other disciplines. With the ascendancy of ecosystem science and management, the need has arisen for a comprehensive treatment of techniques used in this rapidly-growing field. Methods in Ecosystem Science answers that need by synthesizing the advantages, disadvantages and tradeoffs associated with the most commonly used techniques in both aquatic and terrestrial research. The book is divided into sections addressing carbon and energy dynamics, nutrient and water dynamics, manipulative ecosystem experiements and tools to synthesize our understanding of ecosystems. Detailed information about various methods will help researchers choose the most appropriate methods for their particular studies. Prominent scientists discuss how tools from a variety of disciplines can be used in ecosystem science at different scales.




Soil and Water Quality at Different Scales


Book Description

Integrated studies on the assessment and improvement of soil and water quality have to deal almost inevitably with issues of scale, since the spatial support of measurements, the model calculations and the presentation of results usually vary. This book contains the selected and edited proceedings of a workshop devoted to issues of scale entitled: `Soil and Water Quality at Different Scales', which was held in 1996 in Wageningen. It is intended for environmental researchers, scientists and MSc and PhD students. Part 1 covers current issues and methodologies with scale related soil and water quality research. Part 2 covers agroecological and hydrological case studies in which scale transforms form an important part of the research chain. Part 3 consists of papers focusing on methodologies and up and downscaling. Part 4 contains review papers based on modellers' and statisticians' considerations as well as the papers and posters presented during the workshop. Part 5 consists of short research notes.




Biogenic Trace Gases


Book Description

Trace gases are those that are present in the atmosphere at relatively low concentrations. Small changes in their concentrations can have profound implications for major atmospheric fluxes, and thereore, can be used as indicators in studies of global change, global biogeochemical cycling and global warming. This new how-to guide will detail the concepts and techniques involved in the detection and measurement of trace gases, and the impact they have on ecological studies. Introductory chapters look at the role of trace gases in global cycles, while later chapters go on to consider techniques for the measurement of gases in various environments and at a range of scales. A how-to guide for measuring atmospheric trace gases. Techniques described are of value in addressing current concerns over global climate change.




Exchange of Trace Gases Between Terrestrial Ecosystems and the Atmosphere


Book Description

Microbiological basic of NO and N2O production and consumption in soil; Factors controlling NOx emissions from soils; Control of methane production in terrestrial ecosystems; Biological sinks of methane; What regulates production and consumption of trace gases in ecosystems: biology or physicochemistry?; Regional extrapolation of trace gas flux based on soil and ecosystems; Regional extrapolation: Vegetation-atmosphere approach; Global-scale extrapolation: a critical assessment; Aircraft-based measurements of trace gas fluxes; Extrapolation of flux measurements to regional and global scales; Chamber and isotop techniques; Micrometeorological techniques for the measurement of trace gas exchange; Methane flux measurements: methods and results; Fluxes of NOx abovesoil and vegetation; What are the relative roles of biological production, micrometeorology, and photochemistry in controlling the flux of trace gases between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere?; Atmospheric deposition and nutrient cycling; Global climate and trace gas composition: from atmospheric history to the century; Experimental design for studying atmosphere interactions; Trace gas exchange and phsical climate: Critical interactions; Research priorities for studies on trace gas exchange.




Encyclopedia of Environmental Change


Book Description

Accessibly written by a team of international authors, the Encyclopedia of Environmental Change provides a gateway to the complex facts, concepts, techniques, methodology and philosophy of environmental change. This three-volume set illustrates and examines topics within this dynamic and rapidly changing interdisciplinary field. The encyclopedia includes all of the following aspects of environmental change: Diverse evidence of environmental change, including climate change and changes on land and in the oceans Underlying natural and anthropogenic causes and mechanisms Wide-ranging local, regional and global impacts from the polar regions to the tropics Responses of geo-ecosystems and human-environmental systems in the face of past, present and future environmental change Approaches, methodologies and techniques used for reconstructing, dating, monitoring, modelling, projecting and predicting change Social, economic and political dimensions of environmental issues, environmental conservation and management and environmental policy Over 4,000 entries explore the following key themes and more: Conservation Demographic change Environmental management Environmental policy Environmental security Food security Glaciation Green Revolution Human impact on environment Industrialization Landuse change Military impacts on environment Mining and mining impacts Nuclear energy Pollution Renewable resources Solar energy Sustainability Tourism Trade Water resources Water security Wildlife conservation The comprehensive coverage of terminology includes layers of entries ranging from one-line definitions to short essays, making this an invaluable companion for any student of physical geography, environmental geography or environmental sciences.




Methane Emissions from Major Rice Ecosystems in Asia


Book Description

Rice production is affected by changing climate conditions and has the dual role of contributing to global warming through emissions of the greenhouse gas methane. Climate change has been recognized as a major threat to the global environment. Because of insufficient field data, rice-growing countries face a problem when trying to comply with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change stipulations to compile a national inventory of emissions and to explore mitigation options. Given the expected doubling in rice production in Asia, the need to evaluate the interaction between climate change and rice production is critical to forming a sound basis for future directions of technology developments by policy makers, agriculturists, environmentalists, rice producers, and rice consumers. The present book comprises two sections. The first part documents a comprehensive overview of the results achieved from an interregional research effort to quantify methane emission from major rice ecosystems and to identify efficient mitigation options. This research report broadens understanding of the contribution of rice cultivation to methane emissions and clarifies that emissions are relatively low, except in specific rice ecosystems, and that these high emissions could be ameliorated without sacrificing yield. The second section shows results from other projects that investigated the role of rice cultivators in field and laboratory approaches. The findings represent inputs for future modeling approaches in the role of rice cultivators. The expanded database generated by other projects is reflected in modeling efforts.