Greenhouse gases exchange over and within a tropical forest in Africa
Author(s)
Nicolini, Giacomo
Date Issued
April 13, 2012
Type
Doctoral Thesis
Abstract
In this thesis the fluxes of the two main greenhouse gases, CH4 and CO2, are measured by means of the eddy covariance technique in the rainforest of Ankasa in Ghana.
Since tropical rainforests play a prominent role in the global carbon and methane cycle, flux dynamics are investigated both over and within the forest canopy.
To achieve these results, the working plan was structured in several phases.
As EC methane flux measurements is a rather recently topic, a preliminary meta-analysis by which the state of the art in trace gas fluxes studies on global scale is reviewed. This result is presented in chapter 2.
Measurements of below canopy methane fluxes is reported in chapter 3. Here is reported the result of two measurement campaign, executed during the dry and wet season in a periodically swamped area near the main tower. The feasibility of the approach is evaluated with the aim of programming a longer sampling and comparing results with concurrent soil chamber measurements.
In chapter 4 is reported an investigation on CO2 and CH4 storage fluxes and how much they impact on above canopy fluxes. The relation between the two storages and between storages and some controlling environmental variables are explored with the aim of either properly correct the above canopy flux, test the magnitude and the suitability of such corrections and eventually parameterize the storage flux trend.
In chapter 5, CH4 and CO2 fluxes measurement over the forest canopy is reported. Beyond the fluxes quantification here it is reported the seasonal trend analysis of fluxes, the footprint analysis to localize the source regions, the error assessment and the quantification of the minimum detectable flux. Then a carbon balance for the analysed period is computed.
Additional information
Dottorato di ricerca in Ecologia forestale
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