Date of Award
Fall 2007
Project Type
Thesis
Program or Major
Natural Resources
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
George C Hurtt
Abstract
To more accurately predict carbon stocks and fluxes in forests, it is important to measure fine-scale heterogeneity in ecosystem structure across the landscape, and incorporate the underlying mechanisms responsible for the observed heterogeneity in ecosystem models. This study used large-footprint lidar and a height-structured ecosystem model to estimate carbon stocks and fluxes at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF). At HBEF elevation gradients yield a decline in aboveground carbon stock, due to changes in net growth rates and disturbance at higher elevations. Lidar and a height structured ecosystem model can accurately quantified aboveground carbon stocks. Estimates of aboveground carbon fluxes depended on the availability of lidar data, the representation of fine-scale heterogeneity in climate and soil inputs, and the simulation of spatial variation in disturbance. Predictions of forest structure depended strongly on simulating the mechanisms that drive heterogeneity in forest structure across the landscape.
Recommended Citation
Thomas, R Quinn, "Consequences of fine-scale heterogeneity on predictions of the carbon cycle using lidar data and a height-structured ecosystem model" (2007). Master's Theses and Capstones. 315.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/315