2010 Annual Meeting, Washington, DC Online Program

Paper Session: 3151 CHANS: East Africa Climate-Land Interaction Project in Savanna Ecosystems (EACLIPSE) is scheduled on Friday, 4/16/10, from 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM in Washington Room 1, Marriott Exhibition Level Sponsorship(s): Climate Specialty Group Human Dimensions of Global Change Specialty Group Africa Specialty Group Organizer(s): Jennifer Olson - Michigan State University Chair(s): David J. Campbell - Michigan State University Abstract(s):   8:00 AM   Author(s): *Jeffrey A. Andresen - Michigan State  Abstract Title: Dynamic Interactions among People, Livestock, and Savanna Ecosystems under Climate Change: The East Africa Climate-Land Interaction Project in Savanna Ecosystems (EACLIPSE) 8:20 AM   Author(s): *Nathan Moore - Zhejiang University, Michigan State University Dong-Yun Kim, PhD - Virginia Tech Jeffrey Andresen, PhD - Michigan State University Sarah L Hession - Michigan State University  Abstract Title: historical and projected changes in East African meteorological drought 8:40 AM   Author(s): *Jiaguo Qi - Michigan State University Chuan Qin - Michigan State University Gopal Alagarswamy - Michigan State University Joseph Ogutu - International Livestock Research Insitute, Nairobi, Kenya Mohamed Said - International Livestock Research Insitute, Nairobi, Kenya Simon Mugatha - International Livestock Research Insitute, Nairobi, Kenya Simon Mwansasu - University of Dar Es Salaam Pauline Noah - University of Dar Es Salaam Joseph Maitima - International Livestock Research Insitute, Nairobi, Kenya Pius Z. Yanda - University of Dar Es Salaam  Abstract Title: Assessing Savanna Ecosystem Changes with Remote Sensing in East Africa 9:00 AM   Author(s): *Jennifer M Olson, PhD - Michigan State University  Abstract Title: People and Livestock in the Changing Landscape and Climate of the East African Savannas 9:20 AM   Author(s): *Gopalsamy Alagarswamy - Michigan State University *Chuan Qin - MSU Jiaguo Qi - Michigan State University Jeffrey A. Andresen - Michigan State University Jennifer Olson - Michigan State University Nathan Moore - Michigan State University  Abstract Title: Savanna Vegetation Changes as Influenced by Climate and Human Interventions in East Africa Session Description: What are the key characteristics of and dynamics between coupled human-biophysical systems in savannas under climate change? This question is examined in East African savanna ecosystems. Climate change is affecting savannas in both subtle and profound ways. Warmer temperatures and altered precipitation are leading to higher potential evapotranspiration rates and to significant losses of productivity in many places. Human systems are significantly changing their use and management of savanna lands. The combination of the climatic and human management changes is an alteration of the savanna ecosystem, including plant species composition and ecosystem structure, with profound implications for the people and animals who depend on it. The EACLIPSE project is addressing these issues within a comprehensive conceptual and methodological approach to modeling and statistical analysis of climate, land management, and ecosystem dynamics at two scales; the local where human decisions are made and ecosystem dynamics are most evident, and at the regional scale where the cumulative effect of human activity and ecosystem change may significantly impact climate. It is using a combination of socioeconomic and ecological fieldwork, remote sensing analyses, and climate, ecosystem and household modeling and statistical analysis to identify the causes and consequences of recent ecosystem changes, and to construct future scenarios. Interaction between scales and temporal dynamics form the crux of the analysis of the coupled natural and human system.

(55) 2010 Annual Meeting, Washington, DC