Linking climate, gross primary productivity, and site index across forests of the western United States

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 1710-1721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron R. Weiskittel ◽  
Nicholas L. Crookston ◽  
Philip J. Radtke
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Gross Primary Production ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Nonparametric Model ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Geographic Scale ◽  
Potential Productivity ◽  
The One ◽  
The Relationship

Assessing forest productivity is important for developing effective management regimes and predicting future growth. Despite some important limitations, the most common means for quantifying forest stand-level potential productivity is site index (SI). Another measure of productivity is gross primary production (GPP). In this paper, SI is compared with GPP estimates obtained from 3-PG and NASA’s MODIS satellite. Models were constructed that predict SI and both measures of GPP from climate variables. Results indicated that a nonparametric model with two climate-related predictor variables explained over 68% and 76% of the variation in SI and GPP, respectively. The relationship between GPP and SI was limited (R2 of 36%–56%), while the relationship between GPP and climate (R2 of 76%–91%) was stronger than the one between SI and climate (R2 of 68%–78%). The developed SI model was used to predict SI under varying expected climate change scenarios. The predominant trend was an increase of 0–5 m in SI, with some sites experiencing reductions of up to 10 m. The developed model can predict SI across a broad geographic scale and into the future, which statistical growth models can use to represent the expected effects of climate change more effectively.

Mismatch between the optimal ages for ecosystem productivity and net CO2 sequestration in Norway spruce forests

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junbin Zhao ◽  
Holger Lange ◽  
Helge Meissner
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Primary Production ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Gross Primary Production ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Sink Strength ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Ecosystem Productivity ◽  
Spruce Forests

<p>Forests have climate change mitigation potential since they sequester carbon. However, their carbon sink strength might depend on management. As a result of the balance between CO<sub>2</sub> uptake and emission, forest net ecosystem exchange (NEE) reaches optimal values (maximum sink strength) at young stand ages, followed by a gradual NEE decline over many years. Traditionally, this peak of NEE is believed to be concurrent with the peak of primary production (e.g., gross primary production, GPP); however, in theory, this concurrence may potentially vary depending on tree species, site conditions and the patterns of ecosystem respiration (R<sub>eco</sub>). In this study, we used eddy-covariance (EC)-based CO<sub>2</sub> flux measurements from 8 forest sites that are dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) and built machine learning models to find the optimal age of ecosystem productivity and that of CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration. We found that the net CO<sub>2</sub> uptake of Norway spruce forests peaked at ages of 30-40 yrs. Surprisingly, this NEE peak did not overlap with the peak of GPP, which appeared later at ages of 60-90 yrs. The mismatch between NEE and GPP was a result of the R<sub>eco</sub> increase that lagged behind the GPP increase associated with the tree growth at early age. Moreover, we also found that newly planted Norway spruce stands had a high probability (up to 90%) of being a C source in the first year, while, at an age as young as 5 yrs, they were likely to be a sink already. Further, using common climate change scenarios, our model results suggest that net CO<sub>2</sub> uptake of Norway spruce forests will increase under the future climate with young stands in the high latitude areas being more beneficial. Overall, the results suggest that forest management practices should consider NEE and forest productivity separately and harvests should be performed only after the optimal ages of both the CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration and productivity to gain full ecological and economic benefits.</p>

scholarly journals Mediterranean Tropical-Like Cyclones in Present and Future Climate

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (19) ◽  
pp. 7493-7501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leone Cavicchia ◽  
Hans von Storch ◽  
Silvio Gualdi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Tropical Cyclones ◽  
Dynamical Evolution ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Moderate Increase ◽  
High Resolution Data ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The One

Abstract The Mediterranean has been identified as one of the most responsive regions to climate change. It has been conjectured that one of the effects of a warmer climate could be to make the Mediterranean Sea prone to the formation of hurricanes. Already in the present climate regime, however, a few of the numerous low pressure systems that form in the area develop a dynamical evolution similar to the one of tropical cyclones. Even if their spatial extent is generally smaller and the life cycle shorter compared to tropical cyclones, such storms produce severe damage on the highly populated coastal areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. This study, based on the analysis of individual realistically simulated storms in homogeneous long-term and high-resolution data from multiple climate change scenarios, shows that the projected effect of climate change on Mediterranean tropical-like cyclones is decreased frequency and a tendency toward a moderate increase of intensity.

scholarly journals Editorial

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 5-10
Author(s):  
Michele Nicoletti
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Political Philosophy ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
The Other ◽  
Italian Journal ◽  
The Face ◽  
Political Communities ◽  
The One ◽  
Migratory Movements ◽  
The Relationship

In introducing the inspiration behind and aims of the new Rivista Italiana di Filosofia Politica (Italian Journal of Political Philosophy), launched by the Italian Society for Political Philosophy, this editorial explores the relationship between politics and philosophy. As does all philosophy, political philosophy arises from the desire to understand what is new and to question existing reality. Political philosophy is thus political in a twofold sense: on the one hand, it is an act of freedom vis-à-vis existing power or knowledge, and, on the other, it is an attempt to establish social relations based on discursive reasoning, and on open participatory mechanisms for decision-making. This dual political attitude is ever more vital in the face of challenges to contemporary societies, such as climate change, migratory movements, dramatic inequalities, and the apparatus of surveillance. Eschewing a philosophy of distraction and non-engagement, political philosophy (and this Journal) endorses the idea of another, “more civic”, philosophy, one which is committed to the opening of new spaces of personal and collective freedom. This Journal intends to nurture the dialogue between Italian and international philosophical-political communities, showing the richness of Italian discussion, and highlighting some of the most authoritative international scholars. 

scholarly journals The Atmosphere of Democracy: Knowledge and Political Action

2020 ◽  
pp. 69-91
Author(s):  
Nico Stehr
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Political Action ◽  
Democratic Governance ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
The Other ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The One ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe leading scientists debating climate change increasingly view the relationship between knowledge and governance as an “inconvenient democracy.” On the one hand, the discrepancy between the knowledge of climate change and citizens’ commitments to behavioral changes amounts to the diagnosis of an “inconvenient mind”; on the other hand, the inertia of policies to capture progress in knowledge leads to the diagnosis of “inconvenient institutions.” The sense of political ineffectiveness felt especially among climate scientists provokes a strong disenchantment with democratic governance. As a result, some scientists propose that political action based on principles of democratic governance be abandoned. In my article, I argue that such a view is mistaken.

scholarly journals Influence of changes of climate on the productivity of pratal and steppe vegetation in the Forest-steppe area of Ukraine

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-29
Author(s):  
A. M. Polevoy ◽  
L. E. Bozhko ◽  
E. A. Barsukova
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Natural Fertility ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Potential Productivity ◽  
Steppe Vegetation ◽  
Yield Capacity

The influence of the climate change on the agro-climatic growth conditions, development and formation of productivity of meadow and steppe vegetation in the forest-steppe zone of Ukraine for three periods has been studied: 2021–2030, 2031–2040, 2041–2050. The calculations of the expected conditions have been performed according to the climate change scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The paper provides an assessment of the agro-climatic conditions for the formation of productivity of meadow and steppe vegetation in the current global warming and further climate change conditions until 2050. The assessment has been performed by comparing the average long-term agro-climatic indicators (1980–2010) of the productivity of wild phytocenoses with the same indicators for the future over decades. The calculations of both average long-term productivity of grasses and productivity of grasses in the conditions of climate change are executed according to four types of productivity: potential productivity which in case of optimum maintenance of plants with heat, moisture and mineral food is defined by solar radiation; meteorologically possible yield, which is provided by the temperature regime and the regime of humidification of the territory; really possible yield capacity, which is provided by the natural fertility of the soil; actual yield capacity in the natural conditions. Key words: meadow, steppe vegetation, productivity, humus balance, photosynthetic potential, agroecological categories of yields, climate change.

Editorial

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 11-16
Author(s):  
Michele Nicoletti
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Political Philosophy ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
The Other ◽  
Italian Journal ◽  
The Face ◽  
Political Communities ◽  
The One ◽  
Migratory Movements ◽  
The Relationship

In introducing the project of the Rivista Italiana di Filosofia Politica (Italian Journal of Political Philosophy), launched by the Italian Society for Political Philosophy, this editorial explores the relationship between politics and philosophy. As with philosophy itself, political philosophy arises from the desire to understand what is new and to question existing reality. Political philosophy is thus political in a twofold sense: on the one hand, it is an act of freedom vis-à-vis existing power or knowledge, and, on the other, it is an attempt to establish social relations based on discursive rationality, and on open participatory mechanisms for decision-making. This dual political attitude is even more essential in the face of challenges to contemporary societies, such as climate change, migratory movements, dramatic inequalities, and the apparatus of surveillance. Avoiding the risk of a “philosophy of distraction or non-engagement”, political philosophy (and this Journal) endorses the idea of another, “more civic”, philosophy, one which is committed to the opening of new spaces of personal and collective freedom. This Journal intends to nurture the dialogue between Italian and international philosophical-political communities, showing the richness of Italian discussion, and highlighting some of the most authoritative international scholars. 

scholarly journals Height Growth Models for High-Elevation Subalpine Fir, Engelmann Spruce, and Lodgepole Pine in British Columbia

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Y. H. Chen ◽  
Karel Klinka
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Site Index ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Logistic Function ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Potential Productivity ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce

Abstract To estimate potential productivity of the high-elevation Engelmann Spruce and Subalpine Fir (ESSF) zone of British Columbia forests, the height growth models developed from low-elevation forests are currently used to estimate site indices of subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). Whether these models are adequate to describe height growth of high-elevation forests is of concern. We sampled a total of 319 naturally established, even-aged, and undamaged stands with breast height age ≥50 yr (165 for subalpine fir, 87 for Engelmann spruce, and 67 for lodgepole pine) ranging widely in climate and available soil moisture and nutrients. In each sampled stand, three dominant trees were destructively sampled for stem analysis. Height growth models developed from fitting data to a conditioned logistic function explained > 97% variation in height for all three study species. Examined by residual analysis, no models showed lack of fit. These models provided more accurate estimates of site index than the currently used models developed from low-elevation stands or different species. It is recommended that the models developed in this study be applied to estimate site index of the three species in the ESSF zone in British Columbia. West. J. Appl. For. 15(2):62-69.

Farming and climate change

2018 ◽  
pp. 315-330
Author(s):  
Rob White ◽  
Jasmine Yeates
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
The Other ◽  
Pastoral Systems ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Food Scarcity ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Global warming is rapidly changing the physical biosphere in ways that will reverberate well into the future. This chapter explores the relationship between food and climate change. On the one hand, profit-oriented systems of food production contribute to the production of carbon emissions while simultaneously undermining the resilience of natural systems to withstand the effects of climate-related changes. On the other hand, the degradation of natural resources associated with climatic change further perpetuates the demise of existing agricultural and pastoral systems in ways that will continue to generate famine and climate-induced migrations. While climate change has global consequences, the extent of the impact varies depending on the vulnerability of particular locales, social groups and livelihoods. Diverse circumstances will give rise to a range of responses, from the continuation of unsustainable production practices and the systematic hoarding of food, through to widespread social unrest linked to food scarcity and criminality.

Spatio-temporal prediction of site index based on forest inventories and climate change scenarios

2012 ◽  
Vol 279 ◽  
pp. 97-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne Nothdurft ◽  
Thilo Wolf ◽  
Andre Ringeler ◽  
Jürgen Böhner ◽  
Joachim Saborowski
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Temporal Prediction ◽  
Forest Inventories ◽  
Spatio Temporal

scholarly journals Climate Change Impact on Vegetation Dynamics in Tensift Region, Morocco

2021 ◽  
pp. 326-331
Author(s):  
Y. Akensous ◽  
◽  
A. Al Sabri ◽  
S. Al-Akad ◽  
M. Hakdaoui
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Vegetation Dynamics ◽  
Regression Coefficient ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Annual Data ◽  
Change Impact ◽  
The One ◽  
The Relationship

Tensift region is known by an arid and semi-arid climate. The city of Marrakech, experience an important temporal variability in rainfall and an increasing trend of temperature during the last five decades. However, the evolution of rainfall is more contrasted by a downward trend in Marrakech, it is also distinguished by alarming clues of global warming, like the number of hot days and heat waves. This paper evaluates the effect of climate change on Vegetation cover (evaluated by NDVI) in the Tensift region, Morocco. Temperature, rainfall data, and vegetation cover were used in this analysis. The effect of climate change on vegetation was studied using a linear regression analysis method, to explore the relationship between vegetation dynamics and climate factors (the trend of vegetation dynamics for the years between 1973 -2019). Analysis of annual data, for the temperature and vegetation cover shows a low regression coefficient value of 0.3057 and, rainfall and vegetation cover analysis show regression coefficient value of 0.7024. Monthly periods analysis showed that the most important period is the one between December and May where the regression coefficient value is 0.6568. In more details the period between March and May shows regression coefficient value of 0.4685, the period between December and February shows regression coefficient value of 0.434, the period between September and November shows regression coefficient value of 0.0734. The study reveals that, rainfall is significantly related with vegetation cover, especially the period between December and May, more than the temperature does in Tensift region.

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