Geographia Polonica (2005) vol. 77, iss. 2

Large-scale Transect Studies and their Use in the Investigation of Climate Effects on Carbon Storage in Forest Ecosystems

David D. Reed, Glenn D. Glenn D.

Geographia Polonica (2005) vol. 77, iss. 2, pp. 21-26 | Full text

Abstract

The development of large-scale transects in ecological studies has provided a newtool for investigating ecosystem behavior under changing climate. These studies do not replaceexperimental research, but provide a complimentary tool that substitutes space for time in the investigationof complex ecological responses that cannot be easily examined in controlled experiments.Examples of two large-scale transect studies are described, and selected results regardingthe allocation of C within ecosystems in response to climate are highlighted.

Keywords: global change, transect studies, gradient studies, carbon cycling

David D. Reed, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI 49931 USA
Glenn D. Glenn D., School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI 49931 USA