Note: Intro -- LAND CHANGE SCIENCE -- TABLE OF CONTENTS -- EDITORS -- LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS -- FOREWORD -- Section I LCLUC Concepts -- National and International Programs -- Section II Observations of LCLUC: Case Studies -- Section III Cross Cutting Themes, Impacts and Consequences -- Section IV Methodological Issues, Modeling -- Section V Synthesis and Lessons: Biophysical Change and Beyond.

Note: Intro -- Regional Environmental Changes in Siberia and Their Global Consequences -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Contents -- Chapter 1: Introduction: Regional Features of Siberia -- 1.1 Siberia Defined -- 1.2 Geographic and Physical Characteristics -- 1.2.1 General Characteristics -- 1.2.2 Surface Energy Balance -- 1.2.3 Water Cycle -- 1.2.4 Carbon Cycle -- 1.3 Human Geography -- 1.4 Natural Resources -- 1.5 Types of Environmental Changes -- 1.6 Impacts of Environmental Changes -- 1.7 Structure of the Following Book Chapters -- References -- Chapter 2: Development of Information-Computational Infrastructure for Environmental Research in Siberia as a Baseline Component of the Northern Eurasia Earth Science Partnership Initiative (NEESPI) Studies -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Earth and Space Science Information for Regional Studies: Towards Distributed Information-Computational Infrastructure to Support Monitoring, Modeling, and Analysis of Global Change Impact in Siberia -- 2.2.1 General CLEARS Description -- 2.2.2 Datasets -- 2.2.3 Current State of the CLEARS Development -- 2.2.4 Summary and Outlook -- 2.3 Development of the Land Information System for Russia: A Methodology for Integrating Statistics, Remote Sensing, In Situ Information, and Models -- 2.3.1 Objectives and Rationale -- 2.3.2 Datasets -- 2.3.3 Methodology of Land-Cover Assignment -- 2.3.4 Results and Discussion -- 2.3.5 Summary and Outlook -- 2.4 Russian Baseline Datasets for Climatic Studies Over Siberia -- 2.4.1 Introduction -- 2.4.2 Data and Access -- 2.4.3 Summary -- 2.5 The Siberian Earth System Science Cluster: A Data Discovery, Access, and Analysis System for Siberia -- 2.5.1 Objectives and Rationale -- 2.5.2 Cluster Architecture and Data Discovery Services -- 2.5.3 Data Access Services -- 2.5.4 Data Analysis Services -- 2.5.5 SIB-ESS-C Web Portal -- 2.5.6 Summary and Outlook. , 2.6 Giovanni Data and Information System for the NEESPI Domain -- 2.6.1 Introduction -- 2.6.2 Giovanni-NEESPI -- 2.6.3 Summary -- 2.7 RIMS: An Integrated Mapping and Analysis System with Application to Siberia -- 2.7.1 Objectives and Rationale -- 2.7.2 RIMS Software Design and Components -- 2.7.3 RIMS Web Services -- 2.7.4 Summary and Outlook -- 2.8 Brief Summary -- References -- Chapter 3: Climate Changes in Siberia -- 3.1 Paleoclimatic Evidence of Climatic Changes in Siberia -- 3.1.1 Late Glacial and Holocene Paleoclimatic Reconstructions in Siberia -- 3.1.2 Compilation of Paleoclimatic Reconstructions for Siberia by Periods of Holocene -- 3.1.2.1 Late Glacial, and Preboreal (PB) -- 3.1.2.2 Boreal Period (BO) -- 3.1.2.3 Atlantic Period (AT) -- 3.1.2.4 Subboreal Period (SB) -- 3.1.2.5 Subatlantic Period (SA) -- 3.1.3 Regional Case: Paleoreconstructions of Vegetation and Climate in the Altai-Sayan Mountains, Southern Siberia, Throughout the Holocene -- 3.1.4 Climatic Change During the Past 1,000 Years from Noninstrumental Data -- 3.2 Observational Evidence of Contemporary Climatic Changes in Siberia -- 3.2.1 Meteorological Network in Siberia -- 3.2.2 Temperature Changes -- 3.2.3 Arctic Sea Ice Changes Northward of Siberia -- 3.2.4 Changes in Precipitation and Snow Cover -- 3.2.5 Changes in the Seasonal Cycle that Impact Ecosystems and/or Human Activity -- 3.2.5.1 Growing Season Duration and Degree Days for Different Species -- 3.2.5.2 Heating Season Duration and Degree Days -- 3.2.5.3 Frost-Free Season -- 3.2.6 Changes in Extreme Events Frequency and Intensity -- 3.2.6.1 Days with Thaws -- 3.2.6.2 Heavy and Very Heavy Rain Events -- 3.2.6.3 Prolonged No-Rain Periods -- 3.2.6.4 "Fire" Weather and Droughts -- 3.3 Projected Climatic Changes in Siberia: Assessment Based upon an Ensemble of Global Climate Models -- 3.3.1 Introduction. , 3.3.2 Projected Changes in the Temperature Regimes -- 3.3.3 Projected Changes in the Hydrological Regime -- 3.3.3.1 Projected Changes in Precipitation and Snow Cover -- 3.3.3.2 Projected Runoff Changes -- 3.3.4 Projected Changes in the State of Permafrost -- 3.3.5 Projected Changes in Extreme Climate and Weather Events -- 3.4 Energy and Water Exchange in Ecosystems of Central Siberia -- 3.5 Brief Summary -- References -- Supplementary References -- Chapter 4: Hydrological Changes: Historical Analysis, Contemporary Status, and Future Projections -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Changes in Water Balance Components -- 4.3 River Discharge Variability -- 4.4 Seasonal Changes in River Discharge -- 4.5 Changes in Maximum and Minimum River Discharge -- 4.6 Change in the Thermal and Ice Regimes -- 4.6.1 Ice Regime -- 4.7 Changes in Groundwater Hydrology -- 4.7.1 Groundwater Level -- 4.7.2 Groundwater-Surface Water Interactions -- 4.8 Changes in Thermokarst Lakes of West Siberia -- 4.9 Future Changes in Regional Hydrology -- 4.10 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 5: Effect of Climate Change on Siberian Infrastructure -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Permafrost Change and Infrastructure Stability -- 5.3 Infrastructure and Climate Change -- 5.4 Regional Assessment of Geocryologic Hazards -- 5.5 Concluding Words -- References -- Chapter 6: Terrestrial Ecosystems and Their Change -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Resource and Ecological Services of Siberian Ecosystems -- 6.2.1 Brief Characteristics of Siberian Ecosystems -- 6.2.2 Major Carbon Pools and Productivity of Ecosystems -- 6.2.2.1 Carbon Pools -- 6.2.2.2 Net Primary Production of Ecosystems -- 6.3 Disturbance and Succession Dynamics of Forests -- 6.3.1 Disturbance Regime and Succession Dynamics -- 6.3.2 Fire -- 6.3.3 Biotic and Other Disturbances -- 6.4 Carbon Budget of Siberian Ecosystems. , 6.4.1 Carbon Account by Landscape-Ecosystem Approach -- 6.4.2 Analysis of Carbon Balance of Boreal Asia Based on Terrestrial Ecosystem Model -- 6.4.3 Eddy Covariance -- 6.4.4 Synthesis -- 6.5 Changes Within Climate-Driven Ecotones in Siberia -- 6.5.1 Northern Tree Line -- 6.5.2 Tree-Line Evolution in South Siberian Mountains -- 6.5.3 Forest Densification and Area Change -- 6.5.4 Forest Response to Climate Variables and Relief Features -- 6.5.5 Transformation of Krummholz into Vertical Forms -- 6.5.6 Ecotone "Zone of Larch Dominance - Mixed Taiga" -- 6.6 Future Trajectories of Forest Ecosystems in Siberia -- 6.6.1 Individual-Based Models of Forest Dynamics -- 6.6.2 Potential Land Cover Change in Siberia Predicted by Siberian Bioclimatic Model -- 6.6.3 Prediction at Landscape Level -- 6.7 Brief Summary -- References -- Chapter 7: Human Dimensions of Environmental Change in Siberia -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.1.1 Research on Human Dimensions of Environmental Change in Siberia -- 7.1.2 Historical Human Dimensions: Leading up to the Soviet Era -- 7.2 The Soviet Era -- 7.2.1 Soviet Era Human Dimensions -- 7.2.1.1 Introduction -- 7.2.1.2 Soviet Era Demographics -- 7.2.1.3 Soviet Era Institutions -- 7.2.1.4 Soviet Era Forest Management -- 7.2.2 Soviet Era: Synthesis Case Studies of Environmental Change -- 7.2.2.1 Synthesis Case Study: Soviet Era Forest- and Land-Cover Change in Central Siberia -- 7.2.2.2 Synthesis Case Study: Effect of Soviet-Era Industrial Mining on Sub-Arctic Forest Landscapes -- 7.3 Post-Soviet Era -- 7.3.1 Post-Soviet Transformation Human Dimensions -- 7.3.1.1 Introduction -- 7.3.1.2 Post-Soviet Demographics -- 7.3.1.3 Post-Soviet Institutions -- 7.3.1.4 Post-Soviet Forest Management -- 7.3.2 Post-Soviet Transformation: Synthesis Case Studies of Environmental Change. , 7.3.2.1 Synthesis Case Study: Post-Soviet Era Forest- and Land-Cover Change in Central Siberia -- 7.3.2.2 Synthesis Case Study: Continuing Effects of Industrial Mining on Sub-Arctic Forest Landscapes in the Post-Soviet Era -- 7.4 Emerging Era Human Dimensions -- 7.4.1 Introduction -- 7.4.2 Forestry and Emerging Environmental Change in Siberia -- 7.4.2.1 Recent Changes in Forest Sector Institutions and Resource Management -- 7.4.2.2 Emerging Implications of Transnationalism for Siberian Forests -- 7.4.3 Energy Resources and Emerging Environmental Change in Siberia -- 7.4.3.1 Changes in Energy Sector Politics and Economics -- 7.4.3.2 Changing Oil/Gas Geographies and Transnationalism -- 7.4.3.3 Environmental Implications of Oil and Gas Development -- 7.4.4 Emerging Era: Synthesis Case Studies of Environmental Change -- 7.4.4.1 Synthesis Case Study: Land Change in the Amur Site on the Siberian-Chinese Border -- 7.4.4.2 Synthesis Case Study: Impact of Oil and Gas Reconnaissance on Taiga Landscapes -- 7.5 Summary -- References -- Chapter 8: Aspects of Atmospheric Pollution in Siberia -- 8.1 Sources and Characteristics of Air Pollution in Siberia -- 8.1.1 Introduction -- 8.1.2 Sources of Atmospheric Pollution -- 8.1.3 Air Quality and Atmospheric Composition Characterization -- 8.1.4 Urban Air Quality -- 8.1.5 Background Levels of Tropospheric Ozone -- 8.2 Assessment of Airborne Pollution in Siberia from Air and Space -- 8.2.1 Observations of Aerosols -- 8.2.2 Satellite Remote Sensing of Wildfire Emissions and Pollution -- 8.2.3 Remote Sensing of Air Pollution Impacts in Siberia -- 8.3 Methodology and Models for Air Pollution Assessment on Different Scales -- 8.3.1 Concepts of Environmental Modeling and Forecasting -- 8.3.2 Scenario Approach -- 8.3.3 Inverse Numerical Modeling Approach to Risk Forecasting. , 8.3.4 Environmental Risk Assessment of Long-Term Air Pollution Using Dispersion Modeling.

Note: Intro -- Preface -- Contents -- About the Editors -- Acronyms -- Chapter 1: Multiple Perspectives on Drylands Across Greater Central Asia -- References -- Chapter 2: Dry Land Belt of Northern Eurasia: Contemporary Environmental Changes -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Observed Climatic Changes -- 2.2.1 Changes in Regional Surface Air Temperature -- 2.2.2 Changes in Atmospheric Circulation -- 2.2.3 Changes in Atmospheric Precipitation -- 2.2.4 Changes in the Cryosphere -- 2.2.5 Changes in River Discharge -- 2.3 Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 3: Recent Land Surface Dynamics Across Drylands in Greater Central Asia -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.1.1 Spatiotemporal Variation in Major Land Cover Types -- 3.1.2 Significant Trends in Land Surface Temperature -- 3.1.3 Linking Observed LST Trends to Major Land Cover Types -- 3.2 Study Area -- 3.3 Data -- 3.4 Methods -- 3.4.1 Visualizing Spatiotemporal Stability and Variation -- 3.4.2 Detecting Significant Trends in the Thermal Regime and Linking to Political Entities -- 3.4.3 Linking Changes in the Thermal Regime to Major Land Cover Types -- 3.5 Results -- 3.5.1 Regional Stability and Variation of Major Land Cover Types -- 3.5.2 Significant Changes in the Thermal Regime Linked to Political Entities -- 3.5.3 Changes in the Thermal Regime Linked to Major Land Cover Types -- 3.6 Discussion -- 3.6.1 Regional Stability and Variation of Major LCTs -- 3.6.2 Significant Thermal Trends Linked to Political Entities -- 3.6.3 Significant Thermal Trends Linked to Major LCTs -- 3.7 Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 4: Quantifying the Anthropogenic Signature in Drylands of Central Asia and Its Impact on Water Scarcity and Dust Emissions -- 4.1 Introduction: Anthropogenic Dust Assessments -- 4.2 Reconstruction of the Human Growth in the Region -- 4.3 Quantifying the Water Resources Used for the Agriculture. , 4.3.1 Water Use for Agriculture -- 4.3.2 Analysis of Changes in Regional Water Stress -- 4.4 Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 5: The Complexity and Challenges of Central Asia's Water-Energy-Food Systems -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Water-Energy-Food in Central Asia -- 5.2.1 Perspective -- 5.2.2 Interrelationships -- 5.3 A Systems Approach -- 5.3.1 Perspective -- 5.3.2 The Soviet Experiment and Its Aftermath -- 5.4 WEF Challenges -- 5.4.1 Water -- 5.4.2 Energy -- 5.4.3 Food -- 5.5 Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 6: Assessment of the Influences of Dust Storms on Cotton Production in Tajikistan -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Dust Storms, Dust Hazes, and Their Effects -- 6.3 Cotton Production and Dust Impacts on Yields -- 6.4 Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 7: Population and Urban Dynamics in Drylands of China -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Methods -- 7.2.1 Study Area -- 7.2.2 Data and Methods -- 7.2.2.1 Urban Built-Up Land of the Drylands Region and the Provincial Capital Cities -- 7.2.2.2 Demographic, Socio-Economic, and Environmental Data and Analysis -- 7.3 Findings -- 7.3.1 Population Dynamics -- 7.3.2 Urban Population Change and Urban Built-Up Land in the Provinces in Drylands China -- 7.3.3 Urban Expansion in Drylands Provincial Capital Cities and Environmental Impacts -- 7.4 Discussion -- 7.4.1 Possible Drivers for Population Dynamics -- 7.4.2 Urban Expansion -- 7.4.3 Urbanization in the Context of Drylands -- 7.5 Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 8: Hydrology and Erosion Risk Parameters for Grasslands in Central Asia -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.2 Methods -- 8.2.1 Study Area -- 8.2.2 Data and Methods -- 8.3 Results and Discussion -- References -- Chapter 9: A Conceptual Framework for Ecosystem Stewardship Based on Landscape Dynamics: Case Studies from Kazakhstan and Mongolia -- 9.1 Introduction. , 9.2 Landscape Dynamics and Ecosystem Stewardship -- 9.3 Case Study from Kazakhstan -- 9.3.1 The Study Area -- 9.3.2 Methods -- 9.3.3 Long-Term Changes in the Integral Vegetative Index (IVI) across Kazakhstan -- 9.3.4 Spatiotemporal Changes of the Steppes -- 9.3.5 Summary -- 9.4 Case Study Mongolia -- 9.4.1 Study Area -- 9.4.2 Materials and Methods -- 9.4.3 Results -- 9.4.4 Annual and Monthly NDVI Trends -- 9.4.5 Seasonal NDVI Trends -- 9.4.6 SAVI Changes and Trends -- 9.4.7 Climatic Trends -- 9.4.8 Comparison of SPOT VGT and AVHRR -- 9.5 Discussion -- 9.6 Summary -- 9.7 Outlook -- References -- Chapter 10: Social-Ecological Systems Across the Asian Drylands Belt (ADB) -- 10.1 Social-Ecological Systems of the Asian Drylands Belt -- 10.2 Variability and Changes in Temperature and Precipitation -- 10.3 Divergent Dynamics in Land Cover -- 10.4 Interrelationships Among SES Indicators -- 10.5 Priority Issues for the Sustainability of SES in the ADB -- 10.5.1 Water Scarcity -- 10.5.2 Intensified Land-Use and Land-Cover Changes -- 10.5.3 Climatic Extremes and Climatic Change -- 10.5.4 Globalization and Cross-Country Effects -- 10.5.5 Unforeseeable Institutional Changes and Shifts -- 10.6 Outlook -- References -- Index.

Note: Intro -- Preface -- Contents -- 1 Introduction -- 1 Background -- 2 Major Land-Use Trends After the Collapse -- 2.1 Agricultural Changes -- 2.2 Forest Changes -- 2.3 Urbanization -- 3 Summary -- References -- 2 Overview of Changes in Land Use and Land Cover in Eastern Europe -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Methodology -- 3 Results -- 3.1 Urbanization -- 3.2 Intensification of Agriculture -- 3.3 Extensification of Agriculture -- 3.4 Afforestation -- 3.5 Deforestation -- 3.6 New Construction of Water Bodies -- 3.7 Other Land Use/Cover Changes -- 4 Conclusions -- Acknowledgments -- References -- 3 Lighting Tracks Transition in Eastern Europe -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Methods -- 3 Results -- 3.1 Examination of Individual Countries -- 4 Discussion -- 5 Conclusion -- Acknowledgments -- References -- 4 Land Change in the Carpathian Region Before and After Major Institutional Changes -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The Carpathian Region -- 2.1 The Environmental Setting -- 2.2 Geo-political and Socio-economic Context -- 2.3 Demographic Changes -- 2.4 Land Cover and Land-Use Changes -- 2.5 Forests -- 2.6 Agriculture -- 2.7 Grasslands, Pastures and Hayfields -- 2.8 Other Land Cover Dynamics -- 3 Conclusions -- References -- 5 Underlying Drivers and Spatial Determinants of post-Soviet Agricultural Land Abandonment in Temperate Eastern Europe -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 1.1 The Effect of the Transition on Agricultural Land Use in Eastern Europe -- 1.2 Study Area -- 1.3 Mapping Agricultural Land Abandonment -- 1.4 Hypothesized Determinants of Agricultural Abandonment -- 2 Results -- 2.1 Rates of Agricultural Land Abandonment Among Study Countries -- 2.2 Regression Results -- 3 Discussion -- 4 Conclusion -- Acknowledgments -- References -- 6 The Effects of Institutional Changes on Landscapes in Ukraine -- Abstract. , 1 Dynamics of Landscape-Forming Processes -- 2 Natural Landscapes and Recent Changes -- 3 Regional Flora and Its Interaction with Human Activity -- 4 Assessment of Changes in Plant Productivity and CO2 Fluxes from 1990 to 2000 -- 5 Water Resources -- 6 Impact of Flow Regulation on River Deltas in the Black Sea Basin -- 7 Conclusions -- References -- 7 Forest Changes and Carbon Budgets in the Black Sea Region -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Common Origins, Different Paths: A Review of Institutional Changes in the Forest Sector -- 2.1 Bulgaria -- 2.2 Georgia -- 2.3 Romania -- 2.4 Ukraine -- 3 Quantifying Forest Changes and Associated Carbon Fluxes -- 3.1 Bulgaria -- 3.2 Georgia -- 3.3 Romania -- 3.4 Ukraine -- 4 Conclusions -- References -- 8 Land Management and the Impact of the 2010 Extreme Drought Event on the Agricultural and Ecological Systems of European Russia -- Abstract -- 1 Extreme Drought Conditions During the Summer of 2010 -- 2 Study Region -- 3 Satellite Observations of Drought Development and Its Aftermath -- 4 Observations of Fire Activity -- 5 Impacts of Forestry Management Practices on Fire Occurrence and Spread -- 6 Impacts of Crop Management Practices on Drought Related Crop Failure and Persistence of Water Stress -- 7 Conclusions -- Acknowledgments -- References -- 9 Agricultural Fires in European Russia, Belarus, and Lithuania and Their Impact on Air Quality, 2002-2012 -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Data and Methods -- 3 Results -- 3.1 Anthropogenic Fire Patterns and LCLUC -- 3.1.1 Fine-Scale Analysis: Smolensk Oblast, Russian Federation -- 3.1.2 LCLUC and Agricultural Burning -- 3.2 Emissions from Agricultural Burning: Croplands Versus Pasture -- 3.2.1 Pasture Versus Cropland Emissions: Smolensk Oblast -- 4 Discussion and Conclusions -- References -- 10 Land Change in European Russia: 1982-2011 -- Abstract. , 1 Introduction -- 1.1 Study Regions -- 2 Data -- 2.1 GIMMS3g AVHRR Data -- 2.2 MODIS Nadir-BRDF Adjusted Reflectance and Land Surface Temperature Data -- 2.3 Landsat Data -- 3 Methods -- 3.1 Seasonal Kendall Trend Tests -- 3.2 Cropland Probability and Cultivation Frequency -- 3.2.1 Landsat Classification and Probabilistic Label Relaxation -- 3.2.2 MODIS Cropland Probability -- 3.2.3 Cultivation Frequency -- 3.3 Field Interviews -- 4 Results and Discussion -- 4.1 Broad Trends and Significant Changes -- 4.2 Cropland Probability and Cultivation Frequency -- 4.3 Field Observations -- 5 Conclusions -- References -- 11 Erratum to: Land Change in the Carpathian Region Before and After Major Institutional Changes -- Erratum to:& -- #6 -- Chapter "Land Change in the Carpathian Region Before and After Major Institutional Changes" in: G. Gutman and V. Radeloff (eds.), Land-Cover and Land-Use Changes in Eastern Europe after the Collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, & -- !#6 -- DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-42638-9_4 -- Index.

Note: Intro -- Part I. State and Changes in Dryland East Asia -- 1 State and Change of Dryland East Asia (DEA) -- 1.1 Geography, Demography and Economics in DEA -- 1.2 Climate and Land-Use Changes -- 1.3 Ecosystem Production and Evapotranspiration -- 1.4 Scientific and Societal Challenges for Adaptations in DEA -- References -- 2 Dryland East Asia in Hemispheric Context -- 2.1 Study Regions -- 2.2 Change Analysis of Vegetated Land Surface -- 2.3 Retrospective Trend Analysis Reveals Areas of Significant Change -- 2.4 Vegetation Change in Three Epochs -- 2.5 Land Cover Variation and Change -- 2.6 Precipitation Variation and Change -- 2.7 Conclusion -- References -- 3 NEESPI and MAIRS Programs in Dryland East Asia -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Contrast and Comparison -- 3.2.1 The Programs -- 3.2.2 Research Approaches -- 3.2.3 Organization Structure -- 3.2.4 Major Research Activities -- 3.3 Major Findings and Achievements -- 3.3.1 Understanding Climate Change -- 3.3.2 Understanding Societal Consequences -- 3.3.3 Understanding Ecosystem Impacts -- 3.3.4 Institutional Responses to Environmental Change -- 3.3.5 Understanding Challenges -- 3.4 Conclusions -- References -- 4 Land Use and Land Cover Change in Dryland East Asia -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Global Land Use Changes through Centuries -- 4.3 Long-Term Changes in Cropland and Pastureland in DEA -- 4.4 Recent Changes in Asian Drylands -- 4.4.1 Rangeland Degradation and Desertification and Increased Cropland -- 4.4.2 Grassland Recovery -- 4.4.3 Reforestation/Afforestation -- 4.5 Sahel Land Use Change -- References -- 5 Urban Expansion and Environment Change in Dryland East Asia -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Study Area, Data, and Methodology -- 5.2.1 Study Area -- 5.2.2 Data and Methodology -- 5.3 Findings -- 5.3.1 Urban Expansion -- 5.3.2 Environment Impact -- 5.4 Case of ¨Ur¨umqi. , 5.4.1 Spatio-Temporal Change in Ürümqi -- 5.4.2 Environment Challenges of Ürümqi -- 5.5 Discussion -- 5.5.1 Characteristics of Urbanization in Arid Regions -- 5.5.2 Socio-Economic Factors Driving Urbanization -- 5.6 Conclusions -- References -- 6 Ecosystem Carbon Cycle under Changing Atmosphere, Climate and Land Use in Dryland East Asia -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Simulated Ecosystem Carbon Patterns in DEA -- 6.3 Responses of Ecosystem Carbon Cycling to Atmospheric Change -- 6.3.1 CO2 Enrichment -- 6.3.2 Nitrogen Deposition and Its Impact on DEA Ecosystems -- 6.4 Responses of Ecosystem Carbon Cycling to Climate Change -- 6.4.1 Responses to Precipitation Changes -- 6.4.2 Responses to Temperature Changes -- 6.5 Responses of Ecosystem Carbon Cycling to Land Use and Land Cover Changes -- 6.6 Interactions among Environmental Changes -- 6.6.1 Limitation of Nitrogen Availability on CO2 Impacts -- 6.6.2 Dependence of Nitrogen Effects on Water Status (Precipitation Regimes) -- 6.6.3 Interaction between Temperature (Warming) and Water Availability (Precipitation) -- 6.6.4 Relationship and Interactions between Land Use and Climate Changes on Ecosystem Carbon Cycling -- 6.7 Carbon Sequestration Potential and Human Adaption to Climate Change -- References -- 7 Dynamics of Vegetation Productivity in Dryland East Asia from 1982 to 2010 -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Data and Methods -- 7.2.1 AVHRR NDVI -- 7.2.2 MODIS NDVI -- 7.2.3 Land Cover Map -- 7.2.4 MERRA Reanalysis Data -- 7.2.5 Agricultural Statistics -- 7.2.6 Statistical Analysis -- 7.3 Results and Discussion -- 7.3.1 Trends of Spatially-Averaged NDVI -- 7.3.2 Spatial Patterns of NDVI Trends -- 7.3.3 Climatic Drivers -- 7.3.4 Other Drivers -- 7.4 Conclusions -- References -- Summary I : Contexts of Change -- Part II. Consequences -- 8 Impacts of Global Change on Water Resources in Dryland East Asia. , 8.1 Introduction -- 8.2 Key Water Resource Challenges -- 8.2.1 Distribution ofWater Balances across DEA and Historical Changes -- 8.2.2 Land Use/Land Cover Change -- 8.2.3 Agricultural Irrigation and Industrialization -- 8.2.4 Climate Change -- 8.3 Water Resources under Environmental Changes: Case Studies -- 8.3.1 Loess Plateau -- 8.3.2 Impacts of Future Climate Change on Runoff across DEA -- 8.4 Conclusions -- References -- 9 Examining Changes in Land Cover and Land Use, Regional Climate and Dust in Dryland East Asia and Their Linkages within the Earth System -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.2 Assessment of Decadal Dust Emission Based on Historical LCLU, Regional Climate and the Regional Coupled Dust Modeling System WRF-Chem-DuMo -- 9.3 Observation-based Dust Climatology and Its Relationship to LCLU and Regional Climate -- 9.4 A Satellite Perspective on the Last Decade -- 9.5 Impacts of Dust on Human-Environment-Climate Systems -- References -- 10 Biophysical Regulations of Grassland Ecosystem Carbon and Water Fluxes in DEA -- 10.1 Brief Introduction of Abiotic and Biotic Factors in Relation to Carbon and Water Fluxes in DEA -- 10.2 Biophysical Regulations of Carbon Fluxes between Grazed and Ungrazed Grasslands -- 10.2.1 Responses of Daytime Net Ecosystem Exchange to Biotic/Abiotic Factors -- 10.2.2 Response of Nighttime NEE (Re) to T and SWC -- 10.3 Ecosystem Carbon Fluxes between Grassland and Cultivated Cropland -- 10.3.1 Responses of Daytime NEE to Biotic/Abiotic Factors -- 10.3.2 Response of Nighttime NEE (Re) to T and SWC -- 10.4 Biophysical Regulations of Water and Energy Fluxes -- 10.4.1 Energy Partitioning and Its Response to Abiotic/Biotic Factors -- 10.4.2 EcosystemWater and Energy Fluxes between Grazed and Ungrazed Grasslands and between Grassland and Cultivated Cropland -- References. , 11 Afforestation and Forests at the Dryland Edges: Lessons Learned and Future Outlooks -- 11.1 Introduction -- 11.2 Vegetation Zonation and Climate -- 11.3 Climate Forcing Effect of Forests: Ambiguous Conditions at the Dryland Edges -- 11.3.1 Low Elevation Xeric Limits: Vulnerable Forest-Grassland Transition -- 11.3.2 Management of Forests-Plantations vs. Close to Nature Ecosystems -- 11.4 Effects of Forest Management on Forest Hydrological Balances in Dry Regions: A Comparison of China and the United States -- 11.4.1 China -- 11.4.2 United States -- 11.5 Past and Future of Forest Policy in Dryland Regions of China -- 11.5.1 Causes and Consequences of Expanding Desertification -- 11.5.2 Shelterbelt Development and Sand Control Programs in China -- 11.5.3 Debates and Critics about the Achievements of the Past Programs -- 11.5.4 Lessons Learned from Past -- 11.6 Conclusions -- References -- 12 Human Impact and Land Degradation in Mongolia -- 12.1 Introduction -- 12.2 Land Degradation Overview -- 12.2.1 Mining Land Degradation -- 12.2.2 Land Degradation by Road -- 12.2.3 Pastureland Degradation and Desertification -- 12.2.4 Soil Erosion of Arable Land -- 12.2.5 Deforestation -- 12.2.6 Soil Pollution -- 12.3 Use of Fallout Radionuclide Methods for Soil Erosion Study -- 12.4 Conclusions -- References -- 13 The Effect of Large-Scale Conservation Programs on the Vegetative Development of China's Loess Plateau -- 13.1 Introduction -- 13.2 Conservation Programs -- 13.3 Study Region -- 13.3.1 Loess Plateau -- 13.3.2 Subset for Fine Scale Analysis -- 13.4 Data -- 13.4.1 MODIS Data -- 13.4.2 Landsat Data -- 13.4.3 Grazing Statistics -- 13.4.4 Anthromes -- 13.5 Methods -- 13.6 Results and Discussion -- 13.6.1 Vegetation Index and Albedo Changes -- 13.6.2 500 m NDVI Changes -- 13.6.3 Grazing Intensity Change -- 13.7 Conclusions -- References. , Summary II : Consequences -- Part III. Solutions/Adaptations -- 14 Monitoring and Assessment of Dryland Ecosystems with Remote Sensing -- 14.1 Problems of Land Degradation and Desertification in Drylands: Current Challenges and Perspectives -- 14.2 Indicators of Land Degradation/Desertification and Their Detection by Remote Sensing -- 14.2.1 History of Degradation/Desertification Indicator Development in Recent Decades -- 14.2.2 Retrieving Biophysical Spectral Information with Remote Sensing for DLDD -- 14.2.3 Bio-physiological Indexes for Assessment and Monitoring -- 14.3 Review of Available Sensors and Data over DEA and Their Suitability for Detecting Desertification Indicators -- 14.3.1 Short Outlook on Future Satellite Sensors over DEA -- 14.4 Remote Sensing Approach for Desertification Assessment in Central Asia: History, Current Research, and Perspectives-A Case Study -- 14.5 Conclusions -- References -- 15 The Effects of Spatial Resolution on Vegetation Area Estimates in the Lower Tarim River Basin, Northwestern China -- 15.1 Introduction -- 15.2 Study Area -- 15.3 Methodology -- 15.4 Results and Discussion -- 15.5 Conclusions -- References -- 16 New Ecology Education: Preparing Students for the Complex Human- Environmental Problems of Dryland East Asia -- 16.1 Introduction -- 16.2 Description of New Ecology Education -- 16.2.1 Topic 1: What's Going On? (Conceptual Models) -- 16.2.2 Topic 2: Life Is So Confusing! (Nonlinearity) -- 16.2.3 Topic 3: Everything Is Connected to Everything Else (Systems Thinking) -- 16.2.4 Topic 4: Climbing Up-and-Down the Complexity Ladder (Hierarchy Theory) -- 16.2.5 Topic 5: What Does It Take to Change This System? (Resilience) -- 16.2.6 Topic 6: Coping with Land Degradation in Drylands (Ecosystem Services). , 16.2.7 Topic 7: Unraveling the Complexity of Coupled H-E Systems and Desertification (The Drylands Development Paradigm).

Note: Intro -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Contents -- Contributors -- John Richard Martin "Joonas" Derome (1947-2010): In Memoriam -- List of Abbreviations -- 1 Introduction: Climate and Land-Cover Changes in the Arctic -- 1.1 The Role of Northern Eurasia in the Global Climate Change -- 1.2 Implications of the Observed Changes -- 1.3 Regional Contribution to the Global Carbon Cycle -- 1.4 The NASA LCLUC Program's Contribution to the International Polar Year -- References -- 2 Recent Changes in Arctic Vegetation: Satellite Observations and Simulation Model Predictions -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 An Overview of Recent Changes in Arctic Vegetation Productivity -- 2.3 Tundra Ecosystems -- 2.3.1 Relationships Among Sea Ice, Land Surface Temperature and Productivity -- 2.3.2 Variability of Tundra Productivity Within Bioclimatic Subzones: Focus on the Yamal Peninsula -- 2.4 Boreal Forest Ecosystems -- 2.4.1 Tree Rings as an Integrative Measure of Growth -- 2.4.2 Correlation Between Satellite Vegetation Indices and Tree Rings -- 2.5 Simulation Model Projections of Arctic Vegetation Change -- 2.5.1 Changes in Distribution of Vegetation Types (BIOME4) -- 2.5.2 Tundra Vegetation Dynamics (ArcVeg) -- 2.5.3 Tree-Line Dynamics (TreeMig) -- 2.6 Conclusions -- References -- 3 High-Latitude Forest Cover Loss in Northern Eurasia, 2000--2005 -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Boreal Forest Biome Boundaries and Sub-regions -- 3.3 Data and Methods -- 3.3.1 The Biome-Wide Forest Cover Loss Analysis Algorithm -- 3.3.2 MODIS-Based Forest Cover Loss Hotspot Mapping -- 3.3.3 Landsat Stratified Sampling Block Analysis -- 3.4 Results and Discussion -- 3.4.1 Forest Cover and Forest Cover Loss Area Estimates -- 3.4.2 Forest Cover Loss Inter-annual Trends -- 3.4.3 Burned Forest Area Estimation -- 3.4.4 Logging Monitoring -- 3.5 Conclusions -- References. , 4 Characterization and Monitoring of Tundra-Taiga Transition Zone with Multi-sensor Satellite Data -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Study Area and Data -- 4.2.1 Study Site -- 4.2.2 Remote Sensing Data -- 4.2.3 Map and Field Observations -- 4.3 Methods -- 4.3.1 Landsat Image Classification and Change Detection -- 4.3.2 Signatures Across the Taiga-Tundra Transition Zone -- 4.3.3 Taiga-Tundra Transition Area Mapping from Landsat ETM+ -- 4.3.4 Mapping of the Transition Zone Using Other Satellite Data -- 4.3.4.1 RADARSAT Data -- 4.3.4.2 MISR and MODIS Data -- 4.4 Spatial Patterns of the Transition Zone -- 4.5 Results -- 4.5.1 Landsat Image Classification and Change Detection -- 4.5.2 Spectral Signatures Across the Transition Zone -- 4.5.3 Transition Zone Mapping from Remote Sensing Data -- 4.6 Conclusions -- References -- 5 Vegetation Cover in the Eurasian Arctic: Distribution, Monitoring, and Role in Carbon Cycling -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Representation of Vegetation Cover in Coarse Resolution Maps -- 5.2.1 Comparison of Categorical Maps -- 5.2.2 Vegetation Continuous Field Maps -- 5.2.3 Comparison of Tree Cover Representation on Coarse Resolution Maps -- 5.3 Comparison of Coarse Resolution Maps with Landsat-Based Land Cover -- 5.3.1 Komi Site -- 5.3.2 St. Petersburg Site -- 5.4 Effects of Vegetation on Carbon Stores in Terrestrial Ecosystems of Arctic Eurasia: Major Controlling Factors and Sources of Uncertainty -- 5.5 Significance of the Current Uncertainty in Vegetation Cover for Estimating Carbon Stores, Sources, and Sinks in Terrestrial Ecosystems -- 5.6 Summary and Conclusions -- References -- 6 The Effects of Land Cover and Land Use Change on the Contemporary Carbon Balance of the Arctic and Boreal Terrestrial Ecosystems of Northern Eurasia -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.1.1 Scope and Objectives of the Analysis -- 6.2 Methods -- 6.2.1 Overview. , 6.2.2 The Terrestrial Ecosystem Model -- 6.2.3 Driving Data Sets -- 6.2.4 Simulation Framework -- 6.2.5 Data Analysis -- 6.3 Results -- 6.3.1 General Trends -- 6.3.2 Non-LCLUC Effects -- 6.3.3 LCLUC Effects -- 6.3.4 Landscape Analysis -- 6.4 Discussion -- 6.4.1 The High-Latitude Terrestrial Sink -- 6.4.2 Saturation of the Sink in Northern Eurasia Ecosystems -- 6.4.3 Mechanisms Leading to the Shift in C Balance -- 6.5 Conclusions -- References -- 7 Interactions Between Land Cover/Use Change and Hydrology -- 7.1 The Water Cycle of Northern Eurasia -- 7.2 Hydrological Changes -- 7.2.1 River Runoff -- 7.2.2 Precipitation -- 7.2.3 Snow Cover -- 7.2.4 Permafrost and Seasonally Frozen Ground -- 7.2.5 Lakes and Wetlands -- 7.2.6 Glaciers -- 7.3 Links to Carbon Cycle -- 7.3.1 Lakes, Permafrost, and Methane -- 7.3.2 Frozen Soil and DOC Export -- 7.3.3 Peatlands, Water Table, and Greenhouse Gases -- 7.4 Monitoring of the Water Cycle in the Context of LCLUC -- 7.4.1 Ground Observational Networks -- 7.4.2 Remote Sensing Monitoring of Water Cycle -- 7.4.2.1 Snow Water Equivalent -- 7.4.2.2 Snow Cover Extent -- 7.4.2.3 Surface Water Extent -- 7.4.2.4 Surface and Sub-surface Water Storage -- 7.4.2.5 Glaciers and Soil Freeze/Thaw -- 7.4.3 Hydrologic Monitoring and the Carbon Cycle -- 7.4.4 A Strategy for Improving Hydrological Change Detection -- 7.5 Conclusions -- References -- 8 Impacts of Arctic Climate and Land Use Changeson Reindeer Pastoralism: Indigenous Knowledgeand Remote Sensing -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.1.1 Reindeer Pastoralism and Arctic Changes -- 8.1.2 Reindeer Pastoralism Across the Arctic -- Background and Challenges -- 8.1.3 Reindeer, Climate Change and Development -- 8.1.4 Socioeconomic, Political and Other Pressures -- 8.2 IPY EALÁT Project: "Reindeer Pastoralism in a Changing Climate" -- 8.2.1 EALÁT Overview -- 8.2.2 EALÁT Goals. , 8.2.3 EALÁT Study Sites -- 8.3 EALT Studies -- 8.3.1 EALÁT Results from Early Studies: SAR Studies for Pasture Quality -- 8.3.2 EALÁT On-Going Studies -- 8.3.2.1 Indigenous Linguistics Studies of Reindeer Herding Language -- 8.3.2.2 Indigenous and Scientific Snow Studies -- 8.3.2.3 Indigenous and Scientific Studies of Pasture Icing or ''Lock-Out'' -- 8.3.2.4 Indigenous and Remote Sensing/GIS Pasture Studies -- 8.4 EALÁT Monitoring and Information Integration System - Adaptation and Planning for the Future -- 8.5 Reindeer Pastoralism and the Future: UArctic International Institute for Reindeer Husbandry -- References -- 9 Cumulative Effects of Rapid Land-Cover and Land-Use Changes on the Yamal Peninsula, Russia -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.1.1 Impending Changes to the Yamal Peninsula -- 9.1.2 Description of the Yamal -- 9.2 Study Goals and Approach -- 9.2.1 Information from Previous Studies -- 9.2.1.1 ECI Baseline Studies -- 9.2.1.2 ENSINOR Project -- 9.2.2 Field Research -- 9.2.3 Modeling Studies -- 9.3 Gas Development -- 9.3.1 Overview -- 9.3.2 Land-Cover and Land-Cover Changes Within the Bovanenkovo Gas Field -- 9.3.3 Geological Factors Contributing to Landscape Sensitivity -- 9.3.3.1 Sand Deposits -- 9.3.3.2 Massive Ground Ice and Landslides -- 9.4 Reindeer Herding -- 9.5 Climate-Vegetation Relationships -- 9.5.1 Spatial Distribution of Vegetation Productivity (NDVI) -- 9.5.2 Temporal Changes in Sea-Ice Concentration, Land-Surface Temperatures, and NDVI -- 9.6 Cumulative Effects -- 9.7 Conclusions -- References -- 10 Interactions of Arctic Aerosols with Land-Cover and Land-Use Changes in Northern Eurasia and their Role in the Arctic Climate System -- 10.1 Introduction -- 10.2 Sources of Arctic Aerosols in Northern Eurasia and Their Dynamics -- 10.3 Characteristics of Arctic Aerosols, Their Variability and Linkages with Northern Eurasia. , 10.3.1 Observed Long-Term Changes in Concentrations and Composition of Arctic Aerosols -- 10.3.2 Seasonal Cycle and Trends in Aerosol Optical Depth -- 10.4 Climate Forcings of Arctic Aerosols and Feedbacks -- 10.4.1 Direct Radiative Forcing of Arctic Aerosols -- 10.4.2 Arctic Aerosols and Surface Albedo Interactions -- 10.4.3 Indirect Radiative Effects of Arctic Aerosols -- 10.4.4 Impacts of Aerosols on the Arctic System -- 10.5 Conclusions -- References -- 11 Interaction Between Environmental Pollutionand Land-Cover/Land-Use Change in Arctic Areas -- 11.1 Introduction -- 11.2 Sources of Pollution and the Effects of Pollution -- 11.2.1 Acidifying Compounds -- 11.2.1.1 Sources -- 11.2.1.2 Effects -- 11.2.2 Heavy Metals -- 11.2.2.1 Sources of Pollution -- 11.2.2.2 Effects -- 11.2.3 Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) -- 11.2.3.1 Sources of Pollution -- 11.2.3.2 Effects -- 11.2.4 Oil and Gas Exploration and Extraction -- 11.2.4.1 Sources -- 11.2.4.2 Effects -- 11.2.5 Fires -- 11.3 Anthropogenic Pollution and Climate Change -- 11.3.1 Interactions Among Environmental Pollution, Climate Change, and Land-Cover/Land-Use Change -- 11.3.2 Global Warming May Aggravate the Effects of Pollutants, and Air Pollutants May Amplify Climatic Stress -- 11.3.3 Effect of Climate Change on Contaminant Pathways -- 11.3.4 Changes in Arctic Land Use Resulting from the Interaction Between Environmental Pollution and Climate Change -- 11.4 Conclusions -- References -- 12 Summary and Outstanding Scientific Challenges for Land-Cover and Land-Use Research in the Arctic Region -- 12.1 Introduction -- 12.2 Modeling and Analysis of Forest-Cover Changes -- 12.3 Prospects for Using Satellite Data -- 12.4 Improved Land Surface Mapping for Characterizing the Carbon Budget -- 12.5 The Arctic: Carbon Source or Sink? -- 12.6 Characterizing the Water Cycle. , 12.7 Human Dimensions: Land Management.