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Agricultural Land Use and the Transformation of Planet Earth:  Investigating the Effects of Land Use Practices on the Ecological, Biogeochemical, and Hydrological Systems of the Planet
Project Start Date
01/01/2004
Project End Date
01/01/2007
Project Call Name
Regional_Initiative_Name
Region
default

Team Members:

Person Name Person role on project Affiliation
Jonathan Foley Principal Investigator University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, United States
Abstract

Derive probability distributions of tropical deforestation rates for the 1980s and 1990s, by synthesizing the data and uncertainties inherent in AVHRR, TREES, and FRA data. Use the AVHRR data to identify locations of change, and reconciled estimates for the rates. Develop model of land cover change following deforestation for 7 tropical regions, using case-study information. Drive model using deforestation rates from above. Develop spatially-explicit carbon cycle model of land cover change. Evaluate probability distributions of carbon emissions from tropical land cover change in the 1980s and 1990s, incorporating uncertainties in both the land cover change data, as well as in the parameters of the carbon cycle model.A consensus estimate of tropical deforestation rates for the 1980s and 1990s may not be possible --instead derive probability distributions. Historical land cover change influences present-day carbon fluxes. It is important to go back at least 20 years in the Amazon Basin (not tested yet for other regions).