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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Burns, Oregon » Range and Meadow Forage Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #99079
Title: THE RANGELAND CARBON DIOXIDE FLUX PROJECT

Author
item Svejcar, Anthony
item Mayeux Jr, Herman
item Angell, Raymond

Submitted to: Rangelands
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/11/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Rangelands occupy approximately 50% of the Earth's surface, yet we know relatively little about the role they play in the global carbon cycle. Most of the emphasis of carbon cycling research has been on the more productive forested ecosystems. In this article we describe the ARS carbon flux project, which includes 11 ARS research centers in the western U.S. The project will help us understand the role of different rangelands in regional carbon cycling. It will also provide a direct comparison of a wide variety of rangeland ecosystems, from the arid sagebrush steppe and desert grasslands to the wetter tallgrass prairie. The project will also help us determine the value of carbon flux technology in assessing rangeland productivity and health.

Technical Abstract: Rangelands occupy approximately 50% of the Earth's surface, yet we know relatively little about the role they play in the global carbon cycle. Most of the emphasis of carbon cycling research has been on the more productive forested ecosystems. In this article we describe the ARS carbon flux project, which includes 11 ARS research centers in the western U.S. The project will help us understand the role of different rangelands in regional carbon cycling. It will also provide a direct comparison of a wide variety of rangeland ecosystems, from the arid sagebrush steppe and desert grasslands to the wetter tallgrass prairie. The project will also help us determine the value of carbon flux technology in assessing rangeland productivity and health.