Theme 1: Dynamics of Land Systems
An understanding of global change is dependent on an understanding of the role of human activities in altering the structure and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, and the effect of changes in the Earth system on coupled human-environment systems operating at smaller scales. Improved understanding of the decision making processes related to land use management provides the foundation for evaluating the interactions between factors influencing human activities and feedbacks within the coupled human-environment system. The impacts of land use decision making on land use and consequent cover changes and ecosystem dynamics are particularly dramatic.
This theme contributes to understanding how human activities and global environmental changes affect terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. The theme will develop and synthesise knowledge on the proximate and underlying causes of land use change (and hence ecosystems), with particular attention to the role of broader demographic, economic, social and political forces, in shaping land use decisions. Moreover, the effects of land use practices (e.g. agricultural, silvicultural and pastoral systems) on ecosystem services and the resulting feedbacks to the Earth System have not been well studied or quantified. Hence, particular attention will be given to the effects of the human domination of landscapes, as they relate to urban areas, habitat management, the increasing impact of invasive species, and other environmental characteristics.
This theme will also seek a deeper understanding of the functioning of ecosystems within the context of global environmental change, assessing the effects of changes in atmospheric composition and physics on hydrological and biogeochemical cycles, biodiversity and ecological disturbance regimes. The greatest challenge is the integration of this knowledge to forge an understanding of the combined and interactive effects of land use and broader global environmental change on ecosystem structure and function.
