Question #1: What processes and feedbacks regulate

Question #1: What processes and feedbacks regulate carbon transformations and efficiencies within between ecosystems?

Requirements:
Observations of 3-dimensional aquatic and terrestrial plant community composition (+ other ecosystem properties) and their change
Chemical composition of carbon pools
Interaction between organic carbon production/pools and rate limiting resources
Quantify primary carbon storage pools (terrestrial & aquatic)
Observational framework that addresses issues of spatial scaling and uncertainties (e.g., integrated ground based - suborbital - satellite approaches)
Integration of observations in models<br>

Question: How do changing human and natural disturbance regimes (terrestrial and aquatic) change carbon fluxes, stocks, and quality?

Requirements:
Temporal observations of changing carbon stocks and community composition (3-D desirable)
Improved observational capabilities for linking carbon cycle changes to meteorology and climate
Enhanced cross-fertilization between environmental science and management/policy communities (allowing evaluation of mitigation options)
Reduced uncertainty in heritage remote sensing products
Observational framework addressing issues of spatial scaling
Integration of observations in models<br>

Question: How does ecosystem structure govern vulnerability, resilience, and adaptation to environmental pressures or changing disturbance regimes? What are the implications for human response?

Requirements:
Temporal observations of changing carbon stocks and community composition (3-D desirable)
Observations of ecosystem properties on space and time scales sufficient to evaluate responses to extreme events
Enhanced cross-fertilization between environmental science and social science communities
Observational framework that addresses issues of spatial scaling and uncertainties (e.g., integrated ground based - suborbital - satellite approaches)
Integration of observations in models<br>