This study advances understanding of how the changes in ecosystem structure and function associated with woody shrub encroachment in semi-arid grasslands alter ecosystem carbon (C) dynamics. In terms of both magnitude and dynamism, dryland ecosystems represent a major component of the global C cycle. Woody shrub encroachment is a widespread phenomenon globally, which is known to substantially alter ecosystem structure and function, with resultant impacts on C dynamics. A series of focal sites were studied at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in central New Mexico, USA. A space-for-time analogue was used to identify how landscape structure and function change at four stages over a grassland to shrubland transition. The research had three key threads: 1. Soil-associated carbon: Stocks of organic and inorganic C in the near-surface soil, and the redistribution of these C stocks by erosion during high-intensity rainfall events were quantified using hillslope-scale monitoring plots. Coarse (>2 mm) clasts were found to account for a substantial proportion of the organic and inorganic C in these calcareous soils, and the erosional effluxes of both inorganic and organic C increased substantially across the vegetation ecotone. Eroded sediment was found to be significantly enriched in organic C relative to the contributing soil with systematic changes in OC enrichment across the vegetation transition. The OC enrichment dynamics observed were inconsistent with existing understanding (derived largely from reductionist, laboratory-based experiments) that OC enrichment is largely insignificant in the erosional redistribution of C. 2. Plant biomass: Cutting-edge proximal remote sensing approaches, using a remotely piloted lightweight multirotor drone combined with structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry were developed and used to quantify biomass carbon stocks at the focal field sites. In such spatially heterogeneous and temporally dynamic ecosystems existing measurement techniques (e.g. on-the-ground observations or satellite- or aircraft-based remote sensing) struggle to capture the complexity of fine-grained vegetation structure, which is crucial for accurately estimating biomass. The data products available from the novel SfM approach developed for this research quantified plants just 15 mm high, achieving a fidelity nearly two orders of magnitude finer than previous implementations of the method. The approach developed here will revolutionise the study of biomass dynamics in short-sward ecogeomorphic systems. 3. Ecohydrological modelling: Understanding the effects of water-mediated degradation processes on ecosystem carbon dynamics over greater than observable spatio-temporal scales is complicated by significant scale-dependencies and thus requires detailed mechanistic understanding. A process-based, spatially-explicit ecohydrological modelling approach (MAHLERAN - Model for Assessing Hillslope to Landscape Erosion, Runoff and Nutrients) was therefore comprehensively evaluated against a large assemblage of rainfall runoff events. This evaluation highlighted both areas of strength in the current model structure, and also areas of weakness for further development. The research has improved understanding of ecosystem degradation processes in semi-arid rangelands, and demonstrates that woody shrub encroachment may lead to a long-term reduction in ecosystem C storage, which is contrary to the widely promulgated view that woody shrub encroachment increases C storage in terrestrial ecosystems.

Orientador: Enner Herenio de Alcântara / Resumo: O Material Particulado em Suspensão (MPS) é o principal componente em sistemas aquáticos. Elevadas concentrações de MPS implicam na atenuação da luz, e ocasionam alterações das taxas fotossintéticas. Além disso, a presença de MPS no sistema aquático pode aumentar os níveis de turbidez, absorver poluentes e podem ser considerados como um indicativo de descargas de escoamento superficial. Portanto, monitorar as concentrações de MPS é essencial para a gerar informações técnicas que subsidiem o correto manejo dos recursos aquáticos, prevenindo colapsos hidrológicos. O sensoriamento remoto se mostra como uma eficiente ferramenta para monitorar e mapear MPS quando comparada às técnicas tradicionais de monitoramento, como as medidas in situ. Entretanto, diante de uma grande e complexa variabilidade de componentes óticos, desenvolver modelos de MPS por meio do sinal registrado em sensores remotos é um desafio. Diversos modelos foram desenvolvidos para reservatórios, lagos e lagoas específicos. Atualmente, não há um único modelo capaz de estimar MPS em reservatórios brasileiros em cascata. Com o objetivo de estimar as concentrações de MPS de forma acurada, o objetivo desta tese foi desenvolver um modelo semi-analítico capaz de estimar valores de coeficiente de atenuação, Kd, por meio do uso dos coeficientes de absorção e espalhamento e, consequentemente, utilizar os valores de Kd para estimar as concentrações de MPS. A adoção desta estratégica se baseou na atenuação da luz ao longo da... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Suspended particulate matter (SPM) is the main component presented within aquatic system. High levels of SPM concentration attenuate the light affecting the photosynthesis rates. Besides, can increase turbidity levels, absorb pollutions and is an indicative of runoff discharges. Therefore, monitoring SPM concentrations is essential to provide reliable information for a correct water management to prevent hydrological collapse. Remote sensing emerges as an efficient tool to map and monitor SPM when compared to traditional techniques, such as in situ measurements. Nevertheless, considering a widely range of optical components, modeling the remote sensing signal in terms of SPM is a challenge. Several models were developed for specific reservoirs, lakes or ponds. Up to our knowledge, there is not a single model capable to retrieve SPM in Brazilian linked reservoirs in a cascade system. In order to accurately estimate SPM, the aim of the thesis was developed a semianalytical model capable to estimate Kd via absorption and backscattering coefficients, and then, use Kd to derive SPM. This approach was adopted because SPM directly contributes to the light attenuation within the water column. Firstly, optical features were investigated. It was found that each reservoir presented a specific optical active component (OAC) dominance, such as Barra Bonita, the first reservoir in cascade is dominated by organic SPM, while Nova Avanhandava, the last reservoir in cascade is dominated by ino... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor