Regional Modeling of Ecosystem Processes in the Central Grasslands Region
Indy Burke, Dept of Forest, Range, and Watershed Stewardship, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 80523
970-491-1620 indy@cnr.colostate.edu
Bill Lauenroth, Dept of Forest, Range, and Watershed Stewardship, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 80523
970-491-7581 billl@cnr.colostate.edu
Deb Peters, USDA-ARS New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88033
505-646-2777 debpeter@nmsu.edu
Bill Parton, Natural Resource Ecology Lab, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 80523
970-491-1987 billp@cnr.colostate.edu
Objective: To simulate spatial and temporal variation in ecosystem properties and processes in the Central Grasslands Region.
Methods: We have acquired soils, climate, and land-use information for the plains region of Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas, and have incorporated these data into a geographic information system. We are using the GIS to drive an ecosystem simulation model for analysis of short-term responses to climate variability, and for predicting long-term responses to directional climate change across the region. We are using regional results, temporal satellite imagery (AVIFRR) to compare with our regional simulations of production.
Study Area: Plains region of Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas
01/21/2008