I'm working on a chapter of my dissertation in which I look at urban ecology
from within the framework of urban heat islands, urban forestry and impervious
surface management. My basic argument is that a process-function
scale-hierarchic ecosystem ecology approach to making descriptions is
pragmatically the most useful frame to take. I have a reasonable handle on the
urban heat island (albedo modification) part of this story, and at least enough
to start the impervious surface management part of it (in which I basically
advocate for porous pavement, rainwater harvesting, bioswales, green roofs,
etc.).
But I'm unsure of my knowledge on the evapo-transpiration stuff, and also on
the atmospheric deposition part of this story, in the particular case of
Southern California (which is a Mediterranean, oak-savannah, chaparral,
coastal sage scrub sort of place.).
(One of my case studies has to do with a goods movement corridor with heavy
truck traffic, where I'd like to be able to show that the interjection of
dense, ecologically suitable tree species downwind of the truck traffic would
measurably mitigate particulate emissions from the truck traffic for
surrounding neighborhoods.)
Any pointers on the plant-soil system evapo-transpiration front would be
particularly appreciated. And, of course, I'd be glad to share my
bibliographies with anyone interested. (Most of my stuff is on my web site.)
Thanks,
--
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Ashwani
Vasishth [EMAIL PROTECTED] (818) 677-6137
http://www-rcf.usc.edu/~vasishth
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Department of Urban Studies and Planning
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street, SH 208, Northridge, CA 91330-8259
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