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Role of Terrestrial Ecosystems in Global Change A Plan for Action (1994) / Chapter Skim
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Summary of Recommended Research
Pages 1-4

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
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From page 1...
... Within 5 to 10 years an experimental research program could determine the major controls over fluxes of radiatively important trace gases from the terrestrial biosphere, yielding an explanation for current rapid increases in these gases in the atmosphere.
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From page 2...
... Within each of these six major research topics, this report presents a general research program that prioritizes topics according to their potential to reduce uncertainty about the role that terrestrial ecosystems play in global change over time scales of decades to centuries. Three elements are highlighted for immediate action because they are key components of the terrestrial research program that are unlikely to proceed without focused attention: a.
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From page 3...
... This program is critical because habitat destruction, human introductions of exotic species, and rapid climate change are causing rapid changes in species composition and loss of species diversity. Yet, these changes cannot be predicted, and little is known about their ecological consequences.
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Key Terms

  • theoretical framework
  • global carbon
  • change affect
  • strong theoretical
  • six major

  • research plan
  • affect biotic
  • carbon cycle
  • biotic diversity
  • ecosystem consequences

  • species composition
  • focused research
  • terrestrial biosphere
  • experimental research
  • alter biotic

  • major controls
  • rapid climate
  • major ecosystem
  • change alter
  • current rapid

  • project future
  • biotic controls
  • aquatic ecosystems
  • freshwater ecosystems
  • ecological disciplines

  • aquatic species
  • future productivity
  • damaged ecosystems
  • sufficiently advanced
  • rapid increases


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