Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Remote sensing of carbon budget in geographically distributed Alaskan boreal forest – tundra regions based on component spectral characteristics  (Remote sensing of terrestrial carbon budget)

Outline
The total carbon storage in boreal ecosystem including tundra and boreal forest is larger than that of the total tropical and temperate ecosystems by about 40%, while the area extent of boreal ecosystem is close to only half of the total tropical and temperate ecosystems. Combined effects of low annual air temperature and moist soil caused by impermeable permafrost in spite of low precipitation repress decomposition of organic matters and store large amount of carbon under the ground. Recently, some observations indicate boreal forest fire causes irreversible changes on permafrost and boreal forest itself. Some model simulations predict global warming takes place especially in high latitude zones, suggesting increase of forest fire occurrences and turning of boreal forest into carbon source. Estimation of carbon budget in boreal ecosystems is necessary for predicting global warming and according environmental changes and rapid counter plans for them. Boreal ecosystems spread in wide area and estimation by not only field observations and model analyses but by satellite remotely sensed data is required. Previous studies estimated global distribution of terrestrial Net Primary Production (NPP) by calculating fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (fPAR) or leaf area index from normalized ratio between satellite near infrared and red bands, and considering plant growth models, temperature precipitation, and etc. The NPP value, however, does not include soil respiration and does not account separation of forest floor processes from those of upper layer. Especially, boreal forest has less upper layer vegetation than tropical rain forest and temperate forest, and difference on moss types in forest floors and underlying permafrost status affect on the carbon budget. In tundra area, remote sensing of mosses and lichen species structure in the dominant community, which has been hardly based on field spectral observation before, is included in the analysis. The objective of the study is to evaluate the estimation method of Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP) distributions in tundra and boreal forest, Alaska from remotely sensed data based on component spectral characteristics from the viewpoint of variability of component spectral characteristics and relationships between forest floor spectral characteristics, soil respiration, and forest floor carbon accumulation ratio

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The new estimation method of Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP) distributions in tundra and boreal forest, Alaska from remotely sensed data will be evaluated from the viewpoint of variability of component spectral characteristics and relationships among forest floor spectral characteristics, soil respiration, and forest floor carbon accumulation ratio. Finally, we evaluate the method by comparing NEP of field observation and that of satellite estimation in twenty forest stands that have different characteristics. The model gives the separation of the forest floor processes from those of upper layer. The separation is not included in previous global NPP mapping models with remotely sensed data, though some of the forest floor NPP in Alaskan boreal forest reaches to 30-40% of the total NPP. The knowledge obtained in this research plan will suggest the general methodology of NEP monitoring by satellite not only in interior Alaska but also in other boreal ecosystems where forest floor productivity cannot be ignored.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
International Arctic Research Center (IARC), University of Alaska Fairbanks is involved in this project.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Tundra and boreal forest in Alaska. Latitude: from 55N to 75N degrees. Longitude : from 120 to 160 degrees.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 05/2005 – 09/2005      05/2006 – 09/2006      05/2007 – 09/2007
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
This project will be supported by the existing facilities in Hokkaido University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
IPY 2007-2008 Japan National Committee has endorsed this project.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
No

This project is a component of those endorsed by IPY 2007-2008 Japan National Committee.

How will the project be organised and managed?
This project will be organised and managed by Hokkaido University and International Arctic Research Center (IARC), University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Holding suitable symposium and seminar for citizens and high school students will carry out as education and outreach activities in this project.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Metadata obtained by this project have been stored and archived in National Institute of Polar Research, Japan since two years after this project is completed.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
It is proposed that this project is funded by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) as a part of IARC/JAXA project.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Assistant Professor Keiji Kushida
N19, W8
Kita-ku
Sapporo
060-0819
Japan

Tel: +81-11-706-5490
Mobile: no
Fax: +81-11-706-7142
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation