Abstract: Climate and management factors in isolation or in combination influence ecosystem properties and the flow of energy, water, and elements. A knowledge gap exists in determining how a change in climate factors will affect the interactions of ecosystems and feedback of ecosystems with climate under diverse land management conditions.

In this presentation, I will focus on quantifying biophysical and biogeochemical feedback from ecosystems to climate and management variability by using field observations (eddy covariance and automated chamber), remote sensing data, and process-based modeling approaches.

A new drought algorithm was developed and tested to understand the response of tallgrass prairie to drought. Eddy covariance data showed that grassland converted to winter wheat was a net source of carbon at an annual scale. Pasture management practices altered the biophysical properties and ecosystem biogeochemistry, resulting in higher greeenhouse gas emissions.

Our results highlight the importance of quantifying vegetation feedback to changes in climate and management factors, and this information can be used to reduce the uncertainty in model projections.