Development of Ecosystem Research

Abstract

Experimental studies established the major community-physiological processes that determine the structure, growth and biodiversity of overstorey and understorey plants and resident vertebrates in an ecosystem. These community-physiological studies were promoted internationally by the UNESCO Arid Zone Research Program, the International Biological Program (Sections Productivity, Production Processes and Conservation), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and, finally, the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program that is studying the impact of Global Warming on the World's ecosystems. During the short period of annual foliage growth in evergreen plant communities, aerodynamic fluxes (frictional, thermal, evaporative) in the atmosphere as it flows over and through a plant community determine the foliage projective covers and leaf attributes in overstorey and understorey strata. These foliar attributes determine the community-physiological constant, the evaporative coefficient, of the plant community. An increase in air temperature of during this period of annual foliage growth will affect the structure of the plant community, so that tall open-forests open forests woodlands open scrub low open-shrubland desert communities. Variation in available soil water during this short period of annual foliage growth will influence vertical shoot growth but not foliage projective covers and leaf attributes produced in the overstorey stratum.

Structure and Alpha Biodiversity of Major Plant Communities in South Africa, a Close Biogeographical Relation with Australia

“…1988;Specht 2007) -far larger than the species-area-curves of open-structured plant communities that asymptote at about a hectare in area or less (Jaccard 1928;Hopkins 1955;Whittaker 1972Whittaker , 1977Specht & Specht 1999;Specht & Tyler 2010;Specht 2011).…”

“…The potential of the plant community to fix solar energy as net photosynthate each year is correlated with the Alpha Biodiversity (number of species per hectare) of plants in each plant community (Specht & Specht 1989a, 1989b, 1989cSpecht, A. & Specht 1993, 1994, 2001, 2011. The species richness of resident consumers (small mammals, birds, snakes, lizards and amphibia) -that depend on the energy fixed by the producers -is also correlated (Braithwaite et al 1985;Specht, A.…”

American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land (1948): Its Long-Range Impact

“…There, Ray studied the structure and growth of garrigue (Quercus coccifera) vegetation regenerating post-fire over 15 years, the oldest stand available (Specht 1969). Towards the end of his stay in Montpellier, he had the pleasure of meeting Prof. Louis Emberger on his return from the 7 Major references: - Emberger 1955Emberger , 1959Evenari et al 1971;Geiger 1965;Monteith 1958Monteith , 1973Rodin 1972;Thornthwaite 1948Thornthwaite , 1958Walter 1968. UNESCO -CSIRO symposium on 'Climatology and Microclimatology' held in Canberra, Australia, and Gilbert Long (1974) (Specht 1967(Specht , 2011. This unique research aimed to understand how plant formationsclosed-forest, open-forest, woodland, scrub, tall shrubland, low shrubland, grassland, heathland, hummock grassland, etc.…”

Biodiversity of Terrestrial Ecosystems in Tropical to Temperate Australia

“…During the 1920s to 1940s, scientists in the Botany Department and Waite Agricultural Research Institute of the University of Adelaide (together with scientists of CSIRO Soils Division and the South Australian Museum) studied many aspects of the climate, soils, vegetation, fauna, and Aborigines in South Australia as well as on the rest of the continent of Australia [1].…”