Jessica Schaefer

Introduction - Historically, ecological research was conducted in pristine wilderness areas

- It is estimated that between 1/3 and ½ the planet’s land surface has been directly affected by humans

- Understanding the effects of human disturbance on ecosystem production is vital, especially in light of current concerns over global climate change and carbon budgets

Urbanization

http://www.richard-seaman.com/USA/Cities/Chicago/PhotoGalleries/index.html

1. Heat Pollution

LANDSAT Map with Red Overlay to Show Hottest Temperatures

http://www.rsat.com/apps/uhi_app/dcb_thermal.html

2. Fertile Land Trend

In California, 15% of Fertile Agricultural Land is Urbanized (Imhoff Et al. 2004)

3. Land Management

Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada

www.weitzgolf.com/.../bb-lasvegas.jpg

Landscape Mosaics

www.cblarsonrealty.com/P061%20aerial%202.jpg

1. Managed Forests

http://virtual.finland.fi/finfo/english/forestry/forest2_b.jpg

2. Natural Disturbance

Forest fire started by lightning, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA © David Woodfall/WWI/Still Pictures

3. Human Disturbance

Legend Light Blue: Deforestation Light Red: Regrowth Dark Red: Forest

Tropical Deforestation and Habitat Degradation In the

Brazilian Amazon Basin

eospso.gsfc.nasa.gov/.../images/p24aL.GIF

Discussion

What about…

- Root Biomass?

- Edge Effects?

How to address land mosaics?

Conclusion

Where to go from here?

- Continued integration of GIS, remote sensing, modeling, and field observation - Further refinement of current models

- Application to global climate change