1,354,173 research outputs found
Preface. Climate change impact on plant ecology
No full textThe variety and the number of ecological models is impressive, and several fields of exact sciences have been called upon to provide the technical and informatics tools that have made it possible to define their current and future developments. But even taking into consideration only a part of the ecosystem, such as the one assigned to primary production (first trophic level, photo-autotrophic compartment), our ability to simulate the processes that underlie carbon fixation in plants is limited by our current knowledge, determining a quantity of information or variability not explained by the model used, which underlies a sort of ‘Uncertainty Principle’ valid for the ecological sciences. The design of Nature and its state of apparent disorder at the various levels of hierarchical, spatial, and temporal scales is still far from being fully discovered. Although the word ‘uncertainty’ resonates widely in this paper, it can represent a very key source of information and the force that pushes us to try other ways to increase our level of knowledge and make our simulation and forecasting ability more and more accurate in a complex world
Modeling Italian forests: state of the art and future challenges
No full textThis review is a follow-up to the first meeting of the Forest modeling working group (FMWG) of the Italian Society of Silviculture and Forest Ecology (SISEF), held in December 2009. 18 talks were delivered to an audience of 40 researchers. We review the state of the art of forest ecosystem modeling in Italy, highlight findings from Italian research groups, and summarize relevant issues. Developing on the discussion session of the meeting, we indicate current research gaps and future challenges for modelers, forest ecologists and foresters alike, with a special emphasis on model validation, data availability, and communication between researchers and managers
Growth and Allocation of Woody Biomass in Forest Trees Based on Environmental Conditions
No full textTerrestrial ecosystems, and forests in particular, are important components of land processes because of their key role in reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations by storing a large amount of carbon in tree biomass and soils [...
Changes in Mean Seasonal Carbon Cycle Due to Climate Change
No full text<p>This repository contains the output data of the 3D-CMCC-FEM model (https://github.com/Forest-Modelling-Lab/3D-CMCC-FEM/tree/v.5.6) related to the manuscript entitled "Changes in Mean Seasonal Carbon Cycle Due to Climate Change" by Morichetti M. and Collalti A. 2024</p>
Molecular-cloning of A Biologically-active Htlv-v Clone - Characterization and Biological Properties
No full textA process-based model to simulate growth in forests with complex structure: Evaluation and use of 3D-CMCC Forest Ecosystem Model in a deciduous forest in Central Italy
No full textForest ecosystems are characterized by high spatial heterogeneity, often related to complex composition and vertical structure which is a challenge in many process-based models. The need to expand process-based models (PBMs) to take in account such structural complexity led to development and testing of a new approach into Forest Ecosystem Models (FEMs), named 3D-CMCC-FEM, able to investigate carbon and water fluxes, including biomass pools and their partitioning, for complex multi-layer forests. 3D-CMCC FEM integrates several characteristics of the functional-structural tree models and the robustness of the light use efficiency (LUE) approach to investigate forest growth patterns and yield processes. The modelling approach was tested by simulating the effects of competition for light and water, growth and yield of a two-layered deciduous forest dominated by Turkey Oak in central Italy for a period of eight years. The model outputs were validated against a series of independently measured data for the major biomass pools, the inter-annual stem increments and above-ground net primary productivity of the overstorey and understorey, respectively. The comparison of Leaf Area Index, Gross Primary Production, and evapotranspiration produced by the model against MODIS data showed agreement in results. In addition, the multi-layered model approach was evaluated against a series of simplified versions to determine whether the enhanced complexity of the model positively contributed to its predictive ability. The proposed model reduced the error in the estimates of forest productivity (e.g. NPP) and dynamics (e.g. growth, mortality) and indicates the importance of considering, as far as possible, the structural complexity in PBMs. © 2013 Elsevier B.V
Plant respiration: Controlled by photosynthesis or biomass?
No full textTwo simplifying hypotheses have been proposed for whole‐plant respiration. One links respiration to photosynthesis; the other to biomass. Using a first‐principles carbon balance model with a prescribed live woody biomass turnover, applied at a forest research site where multidecadal measurements are available for comparison, we show that if turnover is fast the accumulation of respiring biomass is low and respiration depends primarily on photosynthesis; while if turnover is slow the accumulation of respiring biomass is high and respiration depends primarily on biomass. But the first scenario is inconsistent with evidence for substantial carry‐over of fixed carbon between years, while the second implies far too great an increase in respiration during stand development—leading to depleted carbohydrate reserves and an unrealistically high mortality risk. These two mutually incompatible hypotheses are thus both incorrect. Respiration is not linearly related either to photosynthesis or to biomass, but it is more strongly controlled by recent photosynthates (and reserve availability) than by total biomass
Mapping landslide prediction through a GIS-based model: A case study in a catchment in southern Italy
No full textShallow landslides are an increasing concern in Italy and worldwide because of the frequent association with vegetation management. As vegetation cover plays a fundamental role in slope stability, we developed a GIS-based model to evaluate the influence of plant roots on slope safety, and also included a landslide susceptibility map. The GIS-based model, 4SLIDE, is a physically based predictor for shallow landslides that combines geological, topographical, and hydrogeological data. The 4SLIDE combines the infinite slope model, TOPMODEL (for the estimation of the saturated water level), and a vegetation root strength model, which facilitates prediction of locations that are more susceptible for shallow landslides as a function of forest cover. The aim is to define the spatial distribution of Factor of Safety (FS) in steep-forested areas. The GIS-based model 4SLIDE was tested in a forest mountain watershed located in the Sila Greca (Cosenza, Calabria, South Italy) where almost 93% of the area is covered by forest. The sensitive ROC analysis (Receiver Operating Characteristic) indicates that the model has good predictive capability in identifying the areas sensitive to shallow landslides. The localization of areas at risk of landslides plays an important role in land management activities because landslides are among the most costly and dangerous hazards
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