Introduction: Leaves to Ecosystems: Parts, processes, jargon

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Introduction Leaves to Ecosystems Parts,
processes, jargon

• Organizing unit the organism
• Why
• However, organism is composed of parts much of
  our focus will be on the reaction of the parts to
  global change.
• Why

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Parts of the Tree React to the Environment

• Trees (as plants) are unique large sessile
  this means
• Environment consists of
• Plants react to the environment
• Time scales
• Space scales
• Plants can resistant non-optimal environments

3
Trees affected by

• Environmental stresses
• What are they?
• Disturbances
• What are they?
• Ability to survive depends upon
• Genetic background
• Age, history
• Luck

4
Stands

• Localized group of plants with very similar
  characteristics (age, species, structure)
• Stages stand initiation, stem exclusion,
  understory re-initiation, mature, old-growth
• Stand structure
• Stand age even uneven aged

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Communities Ecosystems

• Community Focus on who is there.
• Ecosystems A focus on the processes by who is
  there
• Water cycle
• Carbon cycle
• Photosynthesis
• Respiration
• Decomposition
• Nutrient cycle

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Transition Regional Role of Vegetation
Source Marc Imhoff, NASA Goddard
NDVI
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Illustration of two important Processes (1)
Water movement
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Illustration of two important Processes (2)
stomatal activity