Change Analysis of the Top Ten Percent of Global Photosynthesis 改变全球百分之十大分析光合作用.docx

Acknowledgement This thesis would not have been possible without the support of many people. I wish to express my gratitude to my advisor Prof. Dr. Stephen Young who was abundantly helpful and offered invaluable assistance, support and excellent guidance. Deepest gratitude is also due to the readers of the committee, Prof. Dr. Laurence Goss and Prof. Dr. Marcos Luna without whose knowledge and assistance this study would not have been successful.Special thanks also to all my friends for their support and understanding. Not forgetting my husband Thomas Clifton who always been there and helped me all throughout the thesis.I would also like to convey thanks to the Graduate School and Faculty for providing the financial means and laboratory facilities. Special thanks to Kym Pappathanasi and Marcie Talbot for their unconditional help and support at the DGL.I also wish to express my love and gratitude to my beloved families; for their understanding endless love, through the duration of her studies.ContentsAbstract:1Introduction:1Why is it important to study photosynthesis?4Data and Methodology:6Base data:6Spot Vegetation (VGT) Facts:6Data Quality8Data Preparation10Results:13Africa:14Europe:14North America:15Central America:15South America15North Asia:15West Asia:15South East Asia:15Asia Islands:16Australasia:16Conclusion:17References19Appendix 1:21Appendix 2:31Temporal Profiles:31End Notes46List of Figures:Figure 1: A conceptual model illustrating human effect on environment.2Figure 2: Global CO? emissions and warming compared to pre-industrial times from 2000 to 2050.3Figure 3: The electromagnetic spectrum5Figure 4: Map produced using AVHRR5Figure 5- Regions of Interest9Figure 6: Flowchart of the Methodology12file:///E:\thesis-draft-may-2010-x.docxFigure 7: Global percentage change image for the 11-year period (1998-2008)13Figure 8: Africa20Figure 9: Europe21Figure 10: North America22Figure 11: Central America23Figure 12: South America24Figure 13: North Asia25Figure 1