Sensitivity analysis of a carbon simulation model and its application in a montane forest environment

dc.contributor.authorXu, Shiyong
dc.contributor.authorUniversity of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
dc.contributor.supervisorPeddle, Derek Roland
dc.date.accessioned2007-07-13T19:30:54Z
dc.date.available2007-07-13T19:30:54Z
dc.date.issued2006
dc.degree.levelMasters
dc.descriptionxix, 117 leaves : col. ill. ; 29 cm.en
dc.description.abstractAccurate estimation of Net Primary Productivity (NPP), which is a key component of the terrestrial carbon cycle, is very important in studies of global climate. Ecosystem models have been used for NPP estimates. Determining how much each source of uncertainty contributes to modeled NPP is veiy important before ecosystem models can be used with confidence over larger areas and time periods. This research has systematically evaluated the boreal ecosystem productivity simulator (BEPS) carbon model in mountainous terrain, Kananaskis, Alberta. After parameterization of the model, sensitivity analysis was conducted as a controlled series of experiments involving sensitivity simulations with BEPS by changing a model input value in separate model runs. The results showed that NPP was sensitive to most model inputs measured in the study area, but that the most important input variables for BEPS were LAI and forest species. In addition, the NPP uncertainty resulting from topographic influence was approximately 3.5 %, which is equivalent to 140 kg C ha"1 yr"1. This suggested that topographic correction for the model inputs was also important for accurate NPP estimation. Using the topographically corrected data, the carbon dynamics were simulated, and average annual NPP production by forests in Kananaskis was estimated at 4.01 T ha"1 in 2003.en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10133/366
dc.language.isoen_USen
dc.publisherLethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Arts and Science, 2006en
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Geographyen
dc.publisher.facultyArts and Scienceen
dc.relation.ispartofseriesThesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science)en
dc.subjectDissertations, Academicen
dc.subjectCarbon cycle (Biogeochemistry) -- Alberta -- Kananaskis Regionen
dc.subjectCarbon cycle (Biogeochemistry) -- Research -- Alberta -- Kananasikis Regionen
dc.subjectPrimary productivity (Biology) -- Alberta -- Kananaskis Regionen
dc.subjectForest productivity -- Alberta -- Kananaskis Regionen
dc.subjectForest productivity -- Climatic factors -- Alberta -- Kananaskis Regionen
dc.subjectForests and forestry -- Alberta -- Kananaskis Region -- Researchen
dc.titleSensitivity analysis of a carbon simulation model and its application in a montane forest environmenten
dc.typeThesisen
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