Life Sciences Space Science in the Twenty-First Century -- Imperatives for the Decades 1995 to 2015 (1988) / Chapter Skim
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3. Global Biology/Biospheric Science
3. Global Biology/Biospheric Science
Pages 59-68
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From page 59... ...
terms "global biology" and "biogeochemistry." The perspective from space, which made it possible for the first time to capture in one glance the entire planet—with its continents, oceans, atmosphere, and biosphere, has contributed significantly to this growing conceptual synthesis. Because of this inherently global perspective, the task group feels that space science should develop and maintain a leading role in global biogeochemistry.
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From page 60... ...
The Task Group on Life Sciences strongly endorses the concept of the Mission to Planet Earth" discussed in a companion volume by the Task Group on Earth Sciences. In the current report, the Task Group on Life Sciences will limit itself to the discussion of the fundamental concepts that it feels will make up the basis for the space science effort in global biology and biogeochemistry in the period 1995 to 2015.
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From page 61... ...
The development of complex analytical and numerical modem will be necessary; these models will have to be equipped to receive and process the multitude of ecological, meteorological, chemical, and geological data that will be available from the instruments suggested in this and the Task Group on Earth Sciences report. The requirements for data handling or modeling are described in more detail in a subsequent section.
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From page 62... ...
of atmospheric trace gas chemistry that would have predictive capabilities ant} that could be linked to climatic models in order to investigate the climate response to the expected combination of greenhouse gases. Currently, carbon dioxide is considered almost exclusively by atmospheric modelers, although the effect of other gases could be as important.
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From page 63... ...
These responses may not be readily detectable at ground level due to the large local variability of ecological parameters, but may be evident from the much larger data set accessible through remote sensing. A prerequisite for such studies will be a much enhanced ability to determine ecological variables by remote sensing and to process such data to a large extent by automated techniques.
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From page 64... ...
These systems will include automated gas chromatography to measure concentrations and fluxes of important biogenic gases (e.g., NO, CH4, and various sulfur gases) , as well as sensors that determine quantitative chemical and biological information, such as soil microbial biomass, community structure, nutritional status, and metabolic activities.
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From page 65... ...
report Remote Sensing of the Biosphere and the report of the Task Group on Earth Sciences calling for measurements of blame distribution and productivity, with special consideration of such critical problems as tropical deforestation, desertification, and the systems ecology of actual or potential agricultural regions. As has been pointed out in detail above, accurate data collection will necessarily involve coordinated
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From page 66... ...
This will permit critical ecological data to be gathered from relatively inaccessible areas and make possible data acquisition on temporal and spatial scales that are unthinkable without space technology. The task group further stresses that the recommended global biology research initiative presents significant opportunities-for research in organismic ecology.
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From page 67... ...
Experiments designed to measure seasonal fluctuations with high statistical validity may, in fact, contain evidence for circadian rhythms or other short-term phenomena. Such correlates would be lost by averaging in the course of data reduction, and would no longer be available when information is sought later that was not part of the original data reduction design.
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From page 68... ...
But NASA's most important role in global biogeochemistry will be to unite heretofore disparate disciplines around a common theme.
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