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Terrestrial ecosystem carbon hotspot patterns and dynamics as viewed from space.

Middleton, Elizabeth*,1, Bounoua, Lahouari1, 1 Biospheric Sciences Branch, Greenbelt, MD, USA

ABSTRACT- We will present an overview of the primary satellite observations and net primary production (NPP) models currently used for carbon uptake and dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems. For a global or regional twenty year data set of satellite observations, coupled with an NPP model, we will apply probabilistic classifiers to detect NPP hotspot regions and their spatio-temporal trajectories. These hotspots will be classified on the basis of those trajectories (e.g., expanding, shrinking, merging types), and assigned to ecoregions defined by the World Wildlife Fund to examine ecosystem impacts. The satellite observations comprise a unique and well-calibrated and reprocessed archive combining the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR)data and the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)data at 1-10 km landscape scales, to cover a 20+ year time line at monthly intervals since 1982. Our preliminary study examines regions under environmental assaults in South America, Africa, China, and North America. In addition, we will describe our related research projects and preliminary findings using new analysis methods to predict carbon uptake in forests from space as well as updated estimates for the global societal consumption of carbon-based products.

Key words: NPP hotspots, satellite observations, probababilistic classifier, ecoregion

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