Download or read book Disturbance Restoration and Soil Carbon Dynamics in Desert and Tropical Ecosystems written by Amanda Cantu Swanson and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 133 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Disturbances, natural or anthropogenic, alter ecosystem functioning by changing the biotic composition, biogeochemical cycling, or the physical structure of an environment. As carbon dioxide is a major contributor to global climate change, disturbances to different components of the carbon (C) cycle may further affect atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Soils store vast amounts of C and have the potential to sequester or release CO2. Two of the most extreme ecosystems, deserts and tropical forests, play an important role in the global C cycle, storing C in soils and vegetative biomass. The overarching objective of this dissertation is to quantify changes in soil C cycling after a disturbance in desert and tropical ecosystems. My first chapter addressed how soil inorganic C cycling changes with vegetation removal in a Colorado desert ecosystem. Through manipulative field and lab experiments, I explored changes in C pools after vegetation removal by measuring changes in the isotopic composition of C pools and effluxed CO2. I found that there were significant changes in C cycling after the vegetation was removed; there were fewer newer C inputs and that a greater proportion of CO2 comes soil inorganic C in unvegetated soils. For my second chapter, I looked at soil C recovery with revegetation of Larrea tridentata, finding that there was some recovery of the water extractable organic and microbial biomass C pools. Although the isotopic composition of soil carbon pools did not change with restoration, I also found some seasonal patterns such that changes in soil C pools may have been linked to timing of shrub and microbial activity. My third chapter addressed spatial differences in root and hyphal dynamics and production associated with soil disturbances created by leaf cutter ants (LCA). I collected continuous soil data and automated minirhizotron images to assess belowground dynamics, finding that LCA altered their soil environment and increase root and hyphal production in LCA nests. Overall, my dissertation work demonstrates that disturbances impact various components of the C cycle and that changes to C cycling processes may change how relevant those processes are at different temporal and spatial scales.
Download or read book Ecosystems of Disturbed Ground written by L.R. Walker and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 1999-12-17 with total page 881 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As the human population inexorably grows, its cumulative impact on the Earth's resources is hard to ignore. The ability of the Earth to support more humans is dependent on the ability of humans to manage natural resources wisely. Because disturbance alters resource levels, effective management requires understanding of the ecology of disturbance. This book is the first to take a global approach to the description of both natural and anthropogenic disturbance regimes that physically impact the ground. Natural disturbances such as erosion, volcanoes, wind, herbivory, flooding and drought plus anthropogenic disturbances such as foresty, grazing, mining, urbanization and military actions are considered. Both disturbance impacts and the biotic recovery are addressed as well as the interactions of different types of disturbance. Other chapters cover processes that are important to the understanding of disturbance of all types including soil processes, nutrient cycles, primary productivity, succession, animal behaviour and competition. Humans react to disturbances by avoiding, exacerbating, or restoring them or by passing environmental legislation. All of these issues are covered in this book.Managers need better predictive models and robust data-collections that help determine both site-specfic and generalized responses to disturbance. Multiple disturbances have a complex effect on both physical and biotic processes as they interact. This book provides a wealth of detail about the process of disturbance and recovery as well as a synthesis of the current state of knowledge about disturbance theory, with extensive documentation.
Download or read book Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Ecosystems written by Klaus Lorenz and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-05-31 with total page 397 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A comprehensive book on basic processes of soil C dynamics and the underlying factors and causes which determine the technical and economic potential of soil C sequestration. The book provides information on the dynamics of both inorganic (lithogenic and pedogenic carbonates) and organic C (labile, intermediate and passive). It describes different types of agroecosystems, and lists questions at the end of each chapter to stimulate thinking and promote academic dialogue. Each chapter has a bibliography containing up-to-date references on the current research, and provides the state-of-the-knowledge while also identifying the knowledge gaps for future research. The critical need for restoring C stocks in world soils is discussed in terms of provisioning of essential ecosystem services (food security, carbon sequestration, water quality and renewability, and biodiversity). It is of interest to students, scientists, and policy makers.
Download or read book Climate Stewardship written by Adina Merenlender and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2021-09-07 with total page 297 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As climate disruption intensifies the world over, Californians are finding solutions across a diversity of communities and landscapes. Though climate change is a global existential threat, we cannot wait for nation-states to solve the problem when there are actions we can take now to protect our own communities. In Climate Stewardship: Taking Collective Action to Protect California, readers are invited on a journey to discover that all life is interconnected and shaped by climate and to learn how communities can help tackle climate change. Climate Stewardship shares stories from everyday people and shows how their actions enhance the resilience of communities and ecosystems across ten distinct bioregions. Climate science that justifies these actions is woven throughout, making it easy to learn about Earth's complex systems. The authors interpret and communicate these stories in a way that is enjoyable, inspiring, and even amusing. California is uniquely positioned to develop and implement novel solutions to widespread climate challenges, owing to the state's remarkable biogeographic diversity and robust public science programs. Produced in collaboration with the UC California Naturalist Program, Climate Stewardship focuses on regenerative approaches to energy, agriculture, and land and water use across forested, agricultural, and urban landscapes. The authors' hopeful and encouraging tone aims to help readers develop a sense that they, too, can act now to make meaningful change in their communities.
Download or read book Routledge Handbook of Ecological and Environmental Restoration written by Stuart K. Allison and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2017-05-18 with total page 621 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ecological restoration is a rapidly evolving discipline that is engaged with developing both methodologies and strategies for repairing damaged and polluted ecosystems and environments. During the last decade the rapid pace of climate change coupled with continuing habitat destruction and the spread of non-native species to new habitats has forced restoration ecologists to re-evaluate their goals and the methods they use. This comprehensive handbook brings together an internationally respected group of established and rising experts in the field. The book begins with a description of current practices and the state of knowledge in particular areas of restoration, and then identifies new directions that will help the field achieve increasing levels of future success. Part I provides basic background about ecological and environmental restoration. Part II systematically reviews restoration in key ecosystem types located throughout the world. In Part III, management and policy issues are examined in detail, offering the first comprehensive treatment of policy relevance in the field, while Part IV looks to the future. Ultimately, good ecological restoration depends upon a combination of good science, policy, planning and outreach – all issues that are addressed in this unrivalled volume.
Download or read book Carbon and Nutrient Dynamics in Natural and Agricultural Tropical Ecosystems written by L. Bergström and published by . This book was released on 1998 with total page 344 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Soil fertility is one of the most important factors regulating yield and productivity in both the agricultural and natural ecosystems of the tropics, and maintaining soil fertility has become a key challenge to sustainable development in this region. This book presents the ecological processes and management practices which affect soil fertility and then looks at ways to integrate this knowledge to develop economically feasible solutions. Based on a symposium held at the University of Zimbabwe in May 1996, the volume is partly the result of ten years of research by the Soil Biology and Fertility Project in Zimbabwe and includes contributions from researchers in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. The book is divided into five sections covering nutrient dynamics in soil, decomposition of crop residues, tree-soil-crop interactions in agroforestry and in ecosystem dynamics, and prospects for the future. Essential reading for agronomists, soil scientists and ecologists studying the tropics, this volume is also an important reference for decision-makers in land use and development in tropical countries.
Download or read book Carbon sequestration in tropical grassland ecosystems written by L. 't Mannetje and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2023-08-28 with total page 221 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The increasing scientific consensus on global warming, together with the precautionary principle and the fear of non-linear climate transitions is leading to increasing action to mitigate global warming. To help mitigate global warming, carbon storage by forests is often mentioned as the only or the best way to reduce the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. This book presents evidence that tropical grasslands, which cover 50% of the earth’s surface, are as important as forests for the sequestration of carbon. Results are reported of a large five year on-farm research project carried out in Latin America (Colombia, Costa Rica). Soil and vegetation carbon stocks of long-established pasture, fodder bank and silvopastoral systems on commercial farms were compared with those of adjacent forest and degraded land. The objective was to identify production systems that both increase livestock productivity and farm income and, at the same time, contribute to a reduction of carbon accumulation in the atmosphere. The project was carried out in four ecosystems: the Andean hillsides of the semi-evergreen forest in Colombia; the Colombian humid Amazonian tropical forest ecosystem; the sub-humid tropical forest ecosystem on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica; and the humid tropical forest ecosystem on the Atlantic Coast of Costa Rica. The book is recommended reading for research and teaching scientists and policy makers with an interest to mitigating global warming."
Download or read book Ecology of Desert Systems written by Walter G. Whitford and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2002-03-25 with total page 360 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Conventional wisdom considers deserts stark, harsh regions that support few living things. Most people also believe that water alone makes the desert bloom. Ecology of Desert Systems challenges these conventional views. This volume explores a broad range of topics of interest to ecosystem, population, community, and physiological ecologists. Climate, weather patterns, geomorphology, and wind and water processes are examined as variables that affect the distribution of biota through fundamental ecosystem processes. Descriptions of morphological, behavioral, and physiological adaptations of desert biota illuminate, through the lens of patch dynamics, principles for understanding observed patterns of primary production, nutrient cycling, and the effects of consumers. Desertification, and the techniques for monitoring and quantifying it, is examined within the framework of desert ecosystem patterns and processes.* Focuses on the interactions of climate, soil, and biota along a spectrum of spatial and temporal scales* Details the role of animals in desert ecosystems and landscape processes* Examines watershed scale processes, the ecology of ephemeral lakes, and the ecological changes identified with desertification* Outlines the fundamental concepts relevant to sustainable development of arid lands
Download or read book Land use Change Influences Microbial and Carbon Dynamics in Soils of the Tropics written by Emily Judith Díaz Vallejo and published by . This book was released on 2023 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This dissertation explores the influence of land use changes on soil dynamics and functionality in tropical regions. Specifically, it addresses three main research questions. Firstly, it examines the global impact of land use changes on microbial biomass, abundance, and traits in tropical regions while identifying knowledge gaps and areas for further research in tropical microbial ecology. Secondly, it investigates how tropical secondary forest succession affects microbial function in diverse soil environments and explores the connection between changes in microbial function and soil carbon variability across different successional stages. Lastly, it aims to define a benchmark tool for soil carbon assessment in a variety of tropical climates, land use practices, and soil types, with potential applications for farmers, land managers, soil researchers, policymakers, and individuals interested in soil health assessment. The research findings underscore the significant effects of land use conversions on soil microbial communities and their associated ecosystem functions. To better understand the global-scale response of tropical regions to environmental changes, a comprehensive understanding of the diverse climates, vegetation, management practices, and soil conditions in these regions is essential. Additionally, this study examines the dynamics of microbial communities during forest succession and highlights the urgent need for further research to comprehend microbial functionalities in disturbed tropical forest soils. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of establishing benchmarks for assessing soil carbon in tropical soils, taking into account the impacts of land use change, and developing guidelines or protocols accordingly. This dissertation identifies knowledge gaps and suggests future research directions, including the exploration of a broader range of soil types, investigations into dry systems, examination of specific soil characteristics, and the incorporation of advanced molecular techniques. The ultimate goal of this work is to contribute to the understanding of soil dynamics, provide insights for sustainable soil management, and offer strategies for climate change mitigation in tropical regions.
Download or read book Geotherapy written by Thomas J. Goreau and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2014-12-19 with total page 630 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Practical, Get-Your-Hands-in-the-Soil ManualGlobal climate change, increasing pollution, and continued rapid population growth is wreaking havoc on the planet. Stabilizing the environment at safe levels requires a large-scale restoration of damaged ecosystems. Geotherapy: Innovative Methods of Soil Fertility Restoration, Carbon Sequestration, and
Download or read book Comparative Plant Succession Among Terrestrial Biomes of the World written by Karel Prach and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2020-05-14 with total page 413 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Provides a comparative approach to plant succession among all terrestrial biomes and disturbances, helping to reveal generalizable patterns.
Download or read book Ecosystems of California written by Harold Mooney and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2016-01-19 with total page 1008 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This long-anticipated reference and sourcebook for CaliforniaÕs remarkable ecological abundance provides an integrated assessment of each major ecosystem typeÑits distribution, structure, function, and management. A comprehensive synthesis of our knowledge about this biologically diverse state, Ecosystems of California covers the state from oceans to mountaintops using multiple lenses: past and present, flora and fauna, aquatic and terrestrial, natural and managed. Each chapter evaluates natural processes for a specific ecosystem, describes drivers of change, and discusses how that ecosystem may be altered in the future. This book also explores the drivers of CaliforniaÕs ecological patterns and the history of the stateÕs various ecosystems, outlining how the challenges of climate change and invasive species and opportunities for regulation and stewardship could potentially affect the stateÕs ecosystems. The text explicitly incorporates both human impacts and conservation and restoration efforts and shows how ecosystems support human well-being. Edited by two esteemed ecosystem ecologists and with overviews by leading experts on each ecosystem, this definitive work will be indispensable for natural resource management and conservation professionals as well as for undergraduate or graduate students of CaliforniaÕs environment and curious naturalists.
Download or read book Primary Succession and Ecosystem Rehabilitation written by Lawrence R. Walker and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2003-02-13 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Table of contents
Download or read book Forest and Rangeland Soils of the United States Under Changing Conditions written by Richard V. Pouyat and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-09-02 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This open access book synthesizes leading-edge science and management information about forest and rangeland soils of the United States. It offers ways to better understand changing conditions and their impacts on soils, and explores directions that positively affect the future of forest and rangeland soil health. This book outlines soil processes and identifies the research needed to manage forest and rangeland soils in the United States. Chapters give an overview of the state of forest and rangeland soils research in the Nation, including multi-decadal programs (chapter 1), then summarizes various human-caused and natural impacts and their effects on soil carbon, hydrology, biogeochemistry, and biological diversity (chapters 2–5). Other chapters look at the effects of changing conditions on forest soils in wetland and urban settings (chapters 6–7). Impacts include: climate change, severe wildfires, invasive species, pests and diseases, pollution, and land use change. Chapter 8 considers approaches to maintaining or regaining forest and rangeland soil health in the face of these varied impacts. Mapping, monitoring, and data sharing are discussed in chapter 9 as ways to leverage scientific and human resources to address soil health at scales from the landscape to the individual parcel (monitoring networks, data sharing Web sites, and educational soils-centered programs are tabulated in appendix B). Chapter 10 highlights opportunities for deepening our understanding of soils and for sustaining long-term ecosystem health and appendix C summarizes research needs. Nine regional summaries (appendix A) offer a more detailed look at forest and rangeland soils in the United States and its Affiliates.
Download or read book Dissolved Organic Carbon Dynamics in Urban and Desert Stream Ecosystems written by Jennifer Edmonds and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 370 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Soil Carbon Dynamics Along Gradients of Climate and Land use written by Alan Ronald Townsend and published by . This book was released on 1993 with total page 220 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Ant Plant Interactions written by Paulo S. Oliveira and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2017-08-17 with total page 461 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first volume devoted to anthropogenic effects on interactions between ants and flowering plants, considered major parts of terrestrial ecosystems.
