Influence of Disturbance and Seasonality on Regional Carbon Flux Upscaling

Erica A.H. Smithwick, Pennsylvania State University, smithwick@psu.edu (Presenter)
Kusum Naithani, Pennsylvania State University, kjn18@psu.edu
Kenneth J. Davis, Pennsylvania State University, davis@meteo.psu.edu
Klaus Keller, Pennsylvania State University, klaus@psu.edu
Robert E Kennedy, Oregon State University, robert.kennedy@oregonstate.edu
Jeffrey Masek, NASA GSFC, jeffrey.g.masek@nasa.gov

Integration of disturbance patterns into carbon (C) flux estimates to improve terrestrial-atmosphere C exchange is a critical priority for the North American Carbon Program. This project is built upon previous finding from The Chequamegon Ecosystem Atmospheric Study and aims to quantify uncertainty in C flux upscaling, evaluate multiple disturbance stressors, and develop two-way communication channels between federal agencies and scientists. This project asks three main questions: (1) does incorporation of variation in physiological model parameters improve seasonal and interannual CO2 flux hindcasts from eddy flux towers? (2) does incorporation of stand-replacement and partial disturbance processes from remotely sensed observations improve yearly to decadal CO2 flux hindcasts from eddy flux towers? and (3) To what degree does model-data integration aid regional and landscape decision-making for forest C storage management? The finding from this project will directly contribute to national efforts to constrain uncertainty in terrestrial-atmospheric C exchange in several important ways. First, it will utilize new disturbance algorithms using Landsat imagery to test whether inclusion of partial and stand-replacing disturbance reduces uncertainty in C flux upscaling. Second, it will use a computationally tractable but responsive photosynthetic model to evaluate whether a more sophisticated parameterization of plant physiology aids temporal diagnosis of C flux estimates. Third, by collaborating with regional and national Forest Service personnel, this project aims to partially address the ‘end-to-end’ problem of C cycle science by helping managers to diagnose adaptive capacity of forested landscapes, target locations, and prioritize C management activities.

Presentation Type:  Poster

Session:  Global Change Impact & Vulnerability   (Tue 11:30 AM)

Associated Project(s): 

• Smithwick, Erica: Influence of Disturbance and Seasonality on Regional Carbon Flux Upscaling ...details

Poster Location ID: 287