Chapter 6. Center for the Study of Earth from Space (CSES), 1985-2002
Coupling between Complex Terrain, Climate, and Vegetation
This is a new area of research, which Gupta initiated
in 1999 in collaboration with a landscape ecologist, Bruce
Milne (University of New Mexico). The dimensionless ratio
of precipitation to potential evapotranspiration (P/PET)
combines water and energy. It shows wide ranging consequences
for the formation and organization of landscapes, which
pivot on the transition from water- to energy-limited
environments at P/PET= I. The researchers observed
fractal behavior in the spatial distribution of vegetation
at this point of transition in the Columbia river basin.
CSES scientists are initiating the development of a common
biophysical theory to explain the empirically observed
coupling between terrain formation, vegetation distribution,
productivity and decomposition, and animal diversity.
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