World-leading scientists will shed new light on climate

The major international 3rd iLEAPS Science Conference in Garmisch-Partenkirchen organised by the Integrated Land Ecosystems-Atmosphere Process Study, will bring together 400 scientists to shed new light on climate-change mitigation.

 

Conference organiser, Academy Professor Markku Kulmala from University of Helsinki, Finland said: “Humans have commandeered over 75% of the Earth’s land outside of Greenland and Antarctica. How we manage this land this century will be a major factor in whether we can stabilise global greenhouse gas emissions.” The conference, to take place in the Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, will outline the latest research to combat climate change. 

 

Professor Munger and colleagues from Harvard University, USA, will discuss the value of mature forests in storing carbon. Previous work suggests old forests stop growing so they have limited value in removing excess carbon from the atmosphere. This would imply that policymakers should focus on developing newer forests. But the new research to be presented at the conference suggests we should not be so hasty. Contrary to what might be expected, Professor Munger and colleagues found that the 100-year-old Harvard Forest in central Massachusetts has in fact speeded up its carbon intake over the last two decades. This is primarily because of the increase in biodiversity and structural complexity in the forest over time. “Continued carbon uptake by mature forests is an important benefit to society. We can ensure that old forests continue to take up carbon if we develop policy and management practices that allow these forests to grow undisturbed”, Professor Munger concludes.

 

Other researchers are focusing on how soil affects climate and have found intriguing links between soil moisture and rainfall. Different soil types (sand, clay, silt) and their ability to retain water can have a significant effect on the occurrence of rainfall and heat waves. “Changes in soil type can change mean summer temperature by about 2°C because of changes in evaporation rates. Similarly, mean summer precipitation can change by over 20% because of changes in water vapour input into the atmosphere”, saysBenoît Guillod, a Swiss soil-atmosphere researcher from ETH Zürich.

 

Also in the Sahel region in West Africa, satellite observations demonstrate that brief changes in soil moisture over areas of just tens of kilometres can influence storm generation. According toDr Chris Taylor from the UK's Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, the monsoon can arrive abruptly in the Sahel. The relative timing of planting and the start of the wet season can mean the difference between a good crop and no crop at all. “Soil types change over time. For instance, deforestation removes organic matter from the soil and, in the long term, can change the soil type substantially and affect storm and rainfall patterns”, he said.

 

Borderless science panel discussion

An International Panel gathers on Monday, 19 September 2011 immediately after the opening keynote session to discuss “Borderless Science” and the new directions in land-atmosphere research. The Panel Discussion in proceeded by an introduction by the Panel ModeratorProf. Pavel Kabat, the chair of International Science Panel of GEWEX (Global Energy and Water Experiment), a core project of World Climate Research Programme (WCRP). The panel members include representatives from NASA, European research and funding organisations, and universities around the world.

 

More information: http://www.ileaps.org/science_conf_2011/ or tanja.suni@helsinki.fi