 |
 |
 |
The PMC is comprised of two committees: the Scientific Committee and the Governmental Committee, and the work of both is organized by the Program’s Coordinator General (Figure 1). The Scientific Committee is formed by an Academic Coordinator and two representatives from each of the four thematic areas (Human Dimension, Aquatic Ecosystems, Terrestrial Ecosystems and Atmosphere). With the inclusion of the Coordinator General of the Program this means the Scientific Committee has ten members. The tenure period for the representatives from each thematic area and the two coordinators is two years.
At the Meeting for the Formation of the PMC, the following people were named to the corresponding positions: Dr. Arturo Muhlia Melo (CIBNOR) as Coordinator General, Dr. Felipe García-Oliva (CIEco-UNAM) as Academic Coordinator, Dr. Patricia Romero Lankao (UAM-Xochimilco) and Dr. Mario Manzano (ITESM) as representatives for the Human Dimension thematic area, Dr. Amparo Martínez (CCA-UNAM) and Dr. Francisco Ocampo (CICESE) for the Atmosphere thematic area, Dr. Rubén Lara (CICESE) and Dr. José M. Hernández (UABC) for the Aquatic Ecosystems thematic area and Dr. Ben de Jong (College of the Southern Border) and Dr. Jorge Etchevers (The College of Postgraduates) for the Terrestrial Ecosystems thematic area. (See Organization Chart)
The Governmental Committee is formed by the National Ecology Institute, SEMARNAT, represented by Dr. Adrián Fernández (President of the INE) and the Biologist Julia Martínez (Coordinator of the Climatic Change Program). In the future it is possible that other government bodies with established relations with the PMC, such as the Energy Secretariat and PEMEX, will be integrated into the program.
The program is formed by four thematic areas covering distinct aspects related to the study of the C cycle. These thematic areas are:
1. The Human Dimension. The objective here is the formation of an understanding of the social determinants and consequences of changes in the links between the C cycle, the climatic system and society. Its priority topics are:
a) Socio-economic determinants (demographic dynamics, technological innovation) of greenhouse gas emissions from the use of energy and changes in land usage.
b) Regional and sectoral impact (climatic change and variability) of changes in the C cycle and the climatic system.
c) Planned and spontaneous social perceptions and responses (mitigation and adaptation).
d) Analysis and management tools (i.e. modeling of Global Change scenarios).
2. Aquatic Ecosystems. This includes marine and continental water ecosystems and the priority topics are:
a) Measurement of C storage and flows for the different aquatic ecosystems.
b) Temporal and spatial variability of C flows.
c) Effect of anthropic activity on C storage and flows.
d) Interaction between water-land and water-atmosphere in C flows.
3. Terrestrial Ecosystems. The priority topics in this area are:
a) Measurement of C storage and flows on different scales: local, regional and national.
b) Study of the C dynamic (i.e., experimental, long term studies, paleo-environmental studies, etc.).
c) Estimate of greenhouse gas emissions.
d) Modeling of C cycle in different Global Change scenarios and mitigation actions.
4. Atmosphere. The principal topics in this area are:
a) Measurement of vertical C flows between atmosphere-land and atmosphere-ocean.
b) Measurement of horizontal C flows in the atmosphere.
c) Temporal variability of C flows and their relation to climatic factors.
d) Interaction between carbon compounds and other atmospheric components.
|
|
|