Sammanfattning

Comparisons among ecosystem models or ecosystem dynamics along environmental gradients commonly rely on metrics that integrate different processes into a useful diagnostic. Terms such as age, turnover, residence, and transit times are often used for this purpose; however, these terms are variably defined in the literature and in many cases, calculations ignore assumptions implicit in their formulas. The aim of this opinion piece was i) to make evident these discrepancies and the incorrect use of formulas, ii) highlight recent results that simplify calculations and may help to avoid confusion, and iii) propose the adoption of simple and less ambiguous terms.

Nyckelord

carbon cycle models; carbon fluxes; carbon stocks; compartment models; dynamical systems; model diagnostics; radiocarbon; reservoir theory

Publicerad i

Global Change Biology
2017, Volym: 23, nummer: 5, sidor: 1763-1773
Utgivare: WILEY

UKÄ forskningsämne

Ekologi


Publikationens identifierare

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.13556

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/109582