A new paradigm of quantifying ecosystem stress through chemical signatures

• DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1559
• Publication Date: 2016-11-17T02:22:17Z
• Authors: Ben Kravitz; Alex B. Guenther; Lianhong Gu; Thomas Karl; Lisa Kaser; Stephen G. Pallardy; Josep Peñuelas; Mark J. Potosnak; Roger Seco
• Keywords: ecosystem; stress; Chemical signatures; Ecology; 13. Climate action; volatile organic compounds; Volatile organic compounds; 15. Life on land; Stress; chemical signatures; QH540-549.5; Ecosystem

Abstract Stress‐induced emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from terrestrial ecosystems may be one the dominant sources VOC worldwide. Understanding ecosystem stress response could reveal how will respond and adapt to climate change and, in turn, quantify changes atmospheric burden oxidants secondary aerosols. Here, we argue, based on preliminary evidence several opportunistic measurement sources, that chemical signatures can identified quantified at scale. We also outline future endeavors see as next steps toward uncovering quantitative stress, including new advances both data collection analysis “big data.”