RUI: Assessing Controls on Carbon Flux in Contrasting Ecosystems

这项研究将有助于我们了解生物圈和大气之间的二氧化碳和水蒸气的交换。我们将探索影响美国西南部典型生态系统气体交换(光合作用和呼吸作用)速率的因素。我们将确定遥感(从远处进行的光学和热学测量)是否能探测到光合作用和呼吸作用速率的细微变化。这种“地球呼吸”有助于调节我们的大气层并影响我们的气候，并进一步受到人类对大气层和气候的影响，其影响方式尚不完全清楚。除了了解陆地气体交换的科学目标外，我们还将为本科生和硕士学生提供培训机会。该项目的发现将通过互联网提供给更大的社区，并可用于验证新飞机和卫星传感器出现的数据产品。

This study will help us understand the exchange of carbon dioxide and water vapor between the biosphere and the atmosphere. We will explore factors affecting the rates of gas exchange (photosynthesis and respiration) for representative ecosystems in the southwestern US. We will determine if remote sensing (optical and thermal measurement from a distance) can detect subtle alterations in the rates of photosynthesis and respiration. This "breathing of the planet" helps regulate our atmosphere and influences our climate, and is further being affected by human impacts on the atmosphere and climate in ways that are not yet fully understood. In addition to the science goals of understanding terrestrial gas exchange, we will provide training opportunities for undergraduate and master's students. Findings from the project will be made available to the larger community using the internet, and can be used to help validate data products emerging from new aircraft and satellite sensors.