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Our science is published in a variety of formats. Click here for more information. We also attend events and conferences in the UK, within Europe, and at venues around the world.Scientists travel to the rainforest - 24 April 2008
Four Centre for Ecology & Hydrology scientists are currently working in the Malaysian Rainforest of Borneo contributing to a major NERC funded air chemistry study. The project (OP3-Danum-2008) is aimed at quantifying the emissions of trace gases from the forest, and studying their contribution to the formation of oxidants and secondary particulate matter in a nearly undisturbed South-East Asian tropical environment.
Tropical forests account for over 50% of the World's forests (1.8 million ha) and act a massive source of matter and energy to the lower atmosphere. Tropical ecosystems also account for almost half of global emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which play an important role in oxidant chemistry in the troposphere and subsequently climate. However the role of these VOCs in controlling chemical budgets and processes in the atmosphere is poorly understood.
The main aims of OP3 are to understand how emissions of reactive VOCs from a Southeast Asian tropical rainforest affect regional-scale production and processing of oxidants and particles in the troposphere, and to understand the impact of these processes on local, regional and global scales.
The field campaign phase of the project consists of two separate ground-based measurement periods at the Danum Valley Research centre run by the Royal Society. (7th April - 4th May 2008 and 21st June - 27th July 2008). The second of these campaigns will involve concurrent observations above the ground based site aboard the FAAM BAe 146 aircraft, a collaboration between the Met Office and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
Additional information
More information on the OP3 Project
Danun Valley Field Centre, Sabah (external page)
FAAM BAe 146 aircraft (external page)
Media enquiries should be directed to the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Press office.
