Research
Impact of Climate and Human Perturbations on the Carbon and Water Cycles of Indian Terrestrial Ecosystems
Impact of Climate and Human Perturbations on the Carbon and Water Cycles of Indian Terrestrial Ecosystems
Knowledge of terrestrial carbon (C) budgets is necessary at the country level to shape policies to mitigate the existing problem of global warming (Rogelj et al., 2019). The natural C cycle has been perturbed in the post-industrial revolution era by the additional emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) to the atmosphere by fossil fuel burning and the land-use (LU) change resulting from human interventions (Carbon cycle report).
Knowledge of terrestrial carbon (C) budgets is necessary at the country level to shape policies to mitigate the existing problem of global warming (Rogelj et al., 2019). The natural C cycle has been perturbed in the post-industrial revolution era by the additional emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) to the atmosphere by fossil fuel burning and the land-use (LU) change resulting from human interventions (Carbon cycle report).
The Indian scenario is also similar. Population growth, intensive irrigation, overexploitation of natural resources, deforestation, and climate change play a coherent role in perturbating the natural terrestrial C cycle. The Indian ecosystem is unique because of the high population density in some pockets resulting in increased water stress, small and heterogeneous agricultural plots, and rapid urbanization. Also, a unique climatic gradient (temperate to tropical) and high reliance on groundwater resources makes the case interesting (Rodell et al., 2018).
The Indian scenario is also similar. Population growth, intensive irrigation, overexploitation of natural resources, deforestation, and climate change play a coherent role in perturbating the natural terrestrial C cycle. The Indian ecosystem is unique because of the high population density in some pockets resulting in increased water stress, small and heterogeneous agricultural plots, and rapid urbanization. Also, a unique climatic gradient (temperate to tropical) and high reliance on groundwater resources makes the case interesting (Rodell et al., 2018).
A holistic approach is needed to account for each of the components of the terrestrial C cycle. As the ecosystem component of the water cycle (evapotranspiration) is closely linked with the terrestrial carbon cycle components (as shown in the figure above), there is a need to evaluate the combined effect of both human interventions and climate change on the terrestrial carbon and water cycles for India. I aim to fulfill the need for an integrated approach to assess the ecosystem carbon and water budgets for the Indian ecosystems under changing climate and LU.
A holistic approach is needed to account for each of the components of the terrestrial C cycle. As the ecosystem component of the water cycle (evapotranspiration) is closely linked with the terrestrial carbon cycle components (as shown in the figure above), there is a need to evaluate the combined effect of both human interventions and climate change on the terrestrial carbon and water cycles for India. I aim to fulfill the need for an integrated approach to assess the ecosystem carbon and water budgets for the Indian ecosystems under changing climate and LU.
Currently, my research focuses on the ecosystem components of the terrestrial carbon and water cycles, the strength of their coupling, the role of climatic and anthropogenic influences, and evaluating the resilience of the coupled carbon and water cycles.
Currently, my research focuses on the ecosystem components of the terrestrial carbon and water cycles, the strength of their coupling, the role of climatic and anthropogenic influences, and evaluating the resilience of the coupled carbon and water cycles.