Baltimore Ecosystem Study Activities, Findings, and Contributions for 2013
Of course, urban systems have crucial human and social components, as well as the artifacts and effects of social processes. Consequently, the two urban LTERs must additionally be concerned with long-term 6) changes in land use and land cover, along with their ecosystem effects, 7) monitor the effects of human-environmental interactions, using integrated approaches to linking human and natural systems in an urban ecosystem environment, and 8) integrate research with local K-12 educational systems.
Activities in Core Research Areas For Urban LTERs
Primary Production
Production was measured in aquatic microfilm communities. Tree production is measured every five years in the 195 point random sample of plots used to parameterize the Urban Forest Effects (UFORE) Model.
Flow of Inorganic Matter
Innovative modeling tools were developed for parcel scale stormwater flows. This includes developing workflows and adaptation of process models for fine resolution, built environment influences on water routing at the parcel and streetscape scale.
The nitrogen budgets for nine, main BES watersheds across the urban-rural gradient were updated to refine estimates of (Inputs – Outputs)/Inputs for each year between 1999 and 2010. These improvements in the budget will better expose the role of land use, and the influence of climate on N retention.
Flow of Organic Matter
Population Studies
Disturbance
Human Land Cover Change and Ecosystem Effects
Human-Environment Interactions
Integration with K-12 Education
Findings in Core Research Areas For Urban LTERs
Primary Production
Flow of Inorganic Matter
Flow of Organic Matter
Population Studies
Disturbance
Human Land Cover Change and Ecosystem Effects
Human-Environment Interactions
Integrate with K-12 Education