Behzad Mortazavi

Research

Currently, we are examining the isotopic composition of CO2 exchanged between forest canopies and the atmosphere. We are conducting our research at the Ameriflux Site in Gainesville, Florida. Southeastern US forests are a mosaic of forest of different ages. Currently data on the degree of variability in the isotopic composition of ecosystem respired CO2 for the different successional stages of the dominant forest type in the southeastern US are lacking. The isotopic composition of respired CO2 (soil, foliage and ecosystem) is examined at a rotation aged slash pine plantation and a naturally regenerated 60-80 year old long-leaf and slash pine forest. In addition experiments are conducted in the laboratory to determine the turn-over time of the different carbon pools of foliage of the dominant species in the region.