C H A N G E S [Carbon, Hydrology ANd Global Environmental Systems]
by
Edward Derbyshire
CQR, Royal Holloway, University of London, U.K
Coauthors: Hugues Faure (C.O.M., Case 901, Faculté des Sciences, Université de la Mediterrannée, F-13288, Marseille Cedex 09, France), David Thomas (SCIDR, Department of Geography, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K.), Wyss Yim, Daoxian Yuan (Institute of Karst Geology, 40 Qixing Road, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, the P.R. of China

The CHANGES programme is the first to bring together a group of complementary IGCP projects in a formal collaborative framework in order to tackle a problem demanding inter-specialist-group interaction. Four IGCP projects form the 'core' group in this initiative. They are · 396 - 'Continental Shelves in the Quaternary', and its successor 459 - 'Continental Shelves during the last Glacial Cycle'); · 404 - Terrestrial Carbon in the past 125,000 years', and its successor 464 - 'The Carbon Cycle and Hydrology in the palaeo-terrestrial environment'; · 413 - 'Understanding future Dryland changes from past dynamics'; and · 448 - 'World Correlation on Karst Ecosystems'. CHANGES is concentrating on the record of environmental change in three terrestrial systems - drylands, karst terrain, and the continental shelves and adjacent coasts, with particular attention to their carbon budgets and palaeohydrology. Financial support received from IUGS, ICSU and the University of Sheffield (U.K.) will sustain it for at least three years. It is recognized that all three environments are being investigated within other, independent organizations. Collaborative links with 'outside' bodies have been agreed. These include IGU Commission C10 (Drylands), IGU Commission C21 (Karst), IGU Commission C3 (Continental Shelves), and the INQUA Commission on Carbon, as well as groups within IUSS including Commission VIII. A direct link with PAGES will be sustained. CHANGES is effecting an integration of geological, pedological and geographical research priorities and their relevant time-scales of investigation. The ultimate aim of CHANGES is to identify manageable actions capable of influencing selected key components of the climatic and environmental system for the benefit of humankind The principal products of this programme will include a comprehensive data-base, time-slice maps and a fully annotated bibliography, all ultimately available in CD format. While initially formulated by project leaders and allied researchers within specific ICSU-affiliated projects, CHANGES is open to all scientists with the relevant skills, regardless of nationality or seniority. Website: http://www.gxnu.edu.cn/KDL

Date received: June 29, 2001

Copyright © 2001 by the author(s). The author(s) of this document and the organizers of the conference have granted their consent to include this abstract in Atlas Conferences Inc. Document # cahr-44.