'Tree-Grass': Proposal for a NASA Terrestrial Ecology Field Activity in Savannas and Mixed Tree-Grass Ecosystems

Niall P Hanan, South Dakota State University, niall.hanan@sdstate.edu (Presenter)
Michael J Hill, University of North Dakota, hillmj@aero.und.edu (Presenter)

We describe a proposal for a NASA Terrestrial Ecology field activity that will enhance remote sensing and earth system modeling capabilities in ecosystems characterized by mixtures of woody and herbaceous species (‘tree-grass’ systems). The “Tree-Grass” (TG) program will transform our ability to use satellite data and earth system models to assess the current and future role of tree-grass systems in the earth system, and their future in the face of changing climate, changing land use and human population growth. In so doing we will enhance our ability to manage tree-grass ecosystems for sustainability, food security and economic wellbeing.

The overarching TG science questions are:

1) How are climate change and land-use altering the structure, function and productivity of tree-grass systems at landscape, regional and global scales? (“Global Change Processes”)

2) How will changes in tree-grass structure, function and productivity interact in the earth system and feed-back on the major cycles of carbon, water and nutrients and energy flows? (“Biophysical and Ecological Interactions”)

3) How will global change and biophysical interactions in tree-grass systems impact human wellbeing, food security and sustainability into the future? Conversely, what is the potential for global change mitigation, and can human populations in tree-grass regions benefit from this potential? (“Goods and Services”)

TG seeks to revolutionize earth observation science through improved consideration of woody and herbaceous functional groups in remote sensing and modeling of terrestrial ecosystems. The TG program will further entrain and inspire the next generation of earth system scientists and enhance public appreciation of the crucial role NASA remote sensing technologies can play in understanding and managing the earth system.

Presentation: 2011_Poster_Hanan_31_53.pdf (1922k)

Presentation Type:  Poster

Session:  Coupled Processes at Land-Atmosphere-Ocean Interfaces   (Mon 4:00 PM)

Associated Project(s): 

• Hanan, Niall: Challenges and Opportunities in Remote Sensing of Global Savannas: A Scoping Study for a New TE Field Campaign ...details

Poster Location ID: 31