Carbon Fluxes in Yellowstone National Park
Author Information
Author(s): Christopher Potter, Steven Klooster, Robert Crabtree, Shengli Huang, Peggy Gross, Vanessa Genovese
Primary Institution: NASA Ames Research Center
Hypothesis
What is the carbon balance across all ecosystems of YNP 20 years after the wildfires of 1988?
Conclusion
The study found that the entire Yellowstone area is a moderate net sink for atmospheric CO2, but areas burned in the 1988 wildfires are net sources of CO2.
Supporting Evidence
- Evergreen forest and shrubland cover accounted for 88% of the total annual NPP flux of 2.5 Tg C yr-1.
- Most vegetation classes were estimated as net ecosystem sinks of atmospheric CO2 on an annual basis.
- Areas burned during the 1988 wildfires were estimated as net sources of CO2 to the atmosphere.
Takeaway
This study looks at how much carbon is absorbed and released by plants in Yellowstone National Park, especially after wildfires.
Methodology
The CASA model was applied using remote sensing data to estimate carbon fluxes across different ecosystems in Yellowstone.
Potential Biases
Observer bias may have influenced field survey estimates of aboveground biomass.
Limitations
The study could not access previous field measurement data with precise geographic locations for validation.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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