Global change and wilderness science

Abstract

The breadth and scope of human-caused environmental change is well-established; the distribution and abundance of species, the vegetation cover of the land, and the chemistry of the atmosphere have been altered substantially and globally. How can science in wilderness areas contribute to the analysis of human-caused change? We use nitrate losses from forests to evaluate this question. Determining the effects of past land-use change can be done straightforwardly; evaluating regional changes in the nitrogen cycle requires us to go farther in order to find useful comparisons; and no modern comparisons can contribute directly to understanding the possible effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 1: Changing perspectives and future directions; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT

Citation

Vitousek, Peter M.; Aber, John D.; Goodale, Christine L.; Aplet, Gregory H. 2000. Global change and wilderness science. In: Cole, David N.; McCool, Stephen F.; Freimund, Wayne A.; O''Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 1: Changing perspectives and future directions; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-1. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 5-9