Title | Effects of disturbance and climate change on ecosystem performance in the Yukon River basin boreal forest |
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Author | Wylie, B; Rigge, M; Brisco, B; Murnaghan, K; Rover, J; Long, J |
Source | Remote Sensing vol. 6, no. 10, 2014 p. 9145-9169, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs6109145 Open Access |
Year | 2014 |
Alt Series | Natural Resources Canada, Contribution Series 20181913 |
Publisher | MDPI AG |
Document | serial |
Lang. | English |
Media | paper; on-line; digital |
File format | pdf |
Province | Yukon |
Subjects | geophysics; Nature and Environment; remote sensing; Climate change |
Program | Climate Change
Geoscience |
Released | 2014 09 26 |
Abstract | A warming climate influences boreal forest productivity, dynamics, and disturbance regimes. We used ecosystem models and 250 m satellite Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data averaged over
the growing season (GSN) to model current, and estimate future, ecosystem performance. We modeled Expected Ecosystem Performance (EEP), or anticipated productivity, in undisturbed stands over the 2000-2008 period from a variety of abiotic data
sources, using a rule-based piecewise regression tree. The EEP model was applied to a future climate ensemble A1B projection to quantify expected changes to mature boreal forest performance. Ecosystem Performance Anomalies (EPA), were identified as
the residuals of the EEP and GSN relationship and represent performance departures from expected performance conditions. These performance data were used to monitor successional events following fire. Results suggested that maximum EPA occurs 30-40
years following fire, and deciduous stands generally have higher EPA than coniferous stands. Mean undisturbed EEP is projected to increase 5.6% by 2040 and 8.7% by 2070, suggesting an increased deciduous component in boreal forests. Our results
contribute to the understanding of boreal forest successional dynamics and its response to climate change. This information enables informed decisions to prepare for, and adapt to, climate change in the Yukon River Basin forest. © 2014 by the
authors. |
GEOSCAN ID | 312268 |
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