Productivity & NPP in Rainforests: Table 1 - AE:NPP

GPHY 102 Physical Geography

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Question:

Productivity (i.e., NPP) gradients describe the change in productivity over space (i.e., distance). Changes in productivity can be gradual or dramatic, depending on local climatic conditions and physiographic conditions. For instance, changes in altitude can give rise to rapid changes in productivity given rapidly changing temperatures and perhaps moisture regimes.

1. Complete the first part of Table 1 (i.e., Excel spreadsheet provided) by calculating NPP (using Equation 1) and decay time (using Equation 2).

2. Some tropical rainforests have AE of 1600 mm (e.g., Leopoldo, Franken and Villa Nova, 1995). Derive the estimate of NPP for these areas (again using Equation 1). Explain the differences between a tropical rainforest NPP and that of the Vancouverian Coastal Rainforest (e.g., Vancouver). See your text (Arbogast et al., 2018) for a description of Tropical Rainforests.

3. The equation/model for the AE:NPP relationship is derived from direct field measurements from Big Cypress Swamp, Florida which is located in a tropical climate. Explain the NPP values derived for Resolute, Nunavut in the context of how the model was developed from data collected at Big Cypress Swamp. Do these values reflect the actual conditions for Resolute? Explain.

4. Explain why a site such as Moosonee, Ontario has such a potential to accumulate significant fire load, and hence be hazardous for forest fires.

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