(1) School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, 108 M. White Smith Hall, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA;(2) Southern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 520 Devall Drive, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA
Abstract:
Stochastic transfer of information in a hierarchy of simulators is offered as a conceptual approach for assessing forest responses to changing climate and air quality across 13 southeastern states of the USA. This assessment approach combines geographic information system and Monte Carlo capabilities with several scales of computer modeling for southern pine species and eastern deciduous forests. Outputs, such as forest production, evapotranspiration and carbon pools, may be compared statistically for alternative equilibrium or transient scenarios providing a statistical basis for decision making in regional assessments. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.