Ecosystem monitoring

Epstein, P.R. Dobson, A. Vandermeer, J. (1997) Biodiversity and emerging infectious diseases integrating health and ecosystems monitoring. In Biodiversity and Human Health. Grifo, F. Rosenthal, J., eds. Island Press, Washington D.C., pp. 60-86. 

Define and discuss sentinel organisms as ecosystem monitors. What are advantages of using this method ... 

The opening of Chapter 8 shows the pH of rainfall over the U.S. and Europe. Acidity in rainfall is partly a result of human activities and is slowly changing the nature of many ecosystems. Monitoring the pH of rainwater is a critical component of programs to reduce the production of acid rain. 

A major project to evaluate the fate, effects of, and countermeasures for dealing with oil spilled in the Arctic was conducted over several years beginning in 1980 [94]. Dispersants were applied in one bay and the fate of the oil and effects on the ecosystem monitored for several years. The dispersed oil narcotized benthic life in the first day, however, within one week, the bay recovered. The oil was deposited in sediment to a degree, but was largely carried away and traces could be found in sediment up to 2 km away, the furthest extent of sampling. The fate of oil in this bay was compared to that of an adjacent bay in which the same amount of oil was... 

Accumulation of heavy metals (HM) in different compartments of the biosphere, and their possible mobilization under changing environmental conditions induce a perturbation of the ecosystem and adverse health effects. Fast and correct estimating the environmentally relevant fonus of HM in soils, sediments, and sewage sludge is an urgent need for environmental monitoring and assessment. 

Extensive monitoring of the chemistry of precipitation is now available fi-om networks in both North America and Europe. Representative values of the major soluble species that account for most of the measured conductance of the samples at three United States sites are shown in (Table I) (77). It will be noted that the acidity, which is measured directly as pH, is due primarily to the presence of nitrate and sulphate ions that are not balanced by associated cations. While direct pH measurements are a valid measure of precipitation acidity, Reuss (18) has proposed that a balance of the principle ionic species, as in Equation 1 would provide a more appropriate definition of the acidity in relation to possible ecosystem responses. 

Figure 4. Diagramatic representation of the environmental monitoring units installed in gaps and adjacent canopied sites of the montane coniferous ecosystem of Camels Hump.

B. (1995). Monitoring seasonal and interannual variations of gross primary productivity, net primary productivity and net ecosystem productivity using a diagnostic model and remotely-sensed data, Tellus, Ser. B, 47,178-190. 

The lEP provides the monitoring fi amework to characterize the status and trends of Delta aquatic ecosystems. The lEP strives to provide information on the many factors that affect ecological resorrrces in the Delta. Key near-term goals for the lEP include (1) collecting and analyzing data needed to understand factors controlling the distribution and abundance of selected fish and wildlife resources, (2)... 

Tooth Oxygen Isotope Ratios As Paleoclimate Monitors In Arid Ecosystems... 

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