Exploring the edge of a natural disaster — Oak Academic Publishing
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Exploring the edge of a natural disaster
Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA
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Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA
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Center for Ecosyetem Research (CER), California State University, Chico, USA;Department of Geological and Environmental Science, California State University, Chico, USA
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Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences and Office of Academic Affairs, California State University, East Bay Office of the Academic Affairs, East Bay, USA
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Department of Geological and Environmental Science, California State University, Chico, USA;Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Chico, USA
1 Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA
2 Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA
3 Center for Ecosyetem Research (CER), California State University, Chico, USA;Department of Geological and Environmental Science, California State University, Chico, USA
4 Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences and Office of Academic Affairs, California State University, East Bay Office of the Academic Affairs, East Bay, USA
5 Department of Geological and Environmental Science, California State University, Chico, USA;Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Chico, USA
Natural geological, chronic and acute release of volcanic gases can have a dramatic impact on vegetative ecosystems and potential impact on regional agriculture and human health. This research incorporates a series of observations using leaf level gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and remotely sensed reflectance measurements of vegetation experiencing chronic exposure to volcanic gas emissions; to develop techniques for monitoring the relative health of vegetation along the edge of an acute vegetative kill zone of a natural disaster and potential preeruption vegetation physiology. Experiments were conducted along an elevation gradient that corresponds to the SO 2 gradient on vegetation along the south flank of Volcán Turrialba, Costa Rica. This study site is a natural environment with high volcanic degassing activity with significant SO 2 emissions (n/d-0.281 ppm). Corresponding to an SO 2 gradient, a substantial increase in CO 2 concentration of (430-517 ppm) was identified. We further show the physiological interactions of SO 2 and CO 2 have on vegetation along the kill zone of this natural disaster can be assessed by examining the SO 2 /CO 2 ratios. The physiological indices tested and relationships among measurements emphasized in this research will add to the assessment of the impact atmospheric volcanic gas emissions have on the physiology of surrounding vegetation as well as advance the capability of remotely sensed environmental stress in natural settings.
KeywordsCarbon DioxideChlorophyll FluorescenceLeaf Level Gas ExchangeNatural DisasterRemote SensingSulphur DioxideVolcanic Gas Emissions
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