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The muddle of ages, turnover, transit, and residence times in the carbon cycle
Author(s) -
Sierra Carlos A.,
Müller Markus,
Metzler Holger,
Manzoni Stefano,
Trumbore Susan E.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
global change biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.146
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1365-2486
pISSN - 1354-1013
DOI - 10.1111/gcb.13556
Subject(s) - confusion , residence , ecosystem , computer science , transit (satellite) , residence time (fluid dynamics) , carbon cycle , transit time , econometrics , turnover , environmental science , ecology , mathematics , psychology , transport engineering , economics , biology , geology , engineering , demographic economics , public transport , geotechnical engineering , psychoanalysis , management
Comparisons among ecosystem models or ecosystem dynamics along environmental gradients commonly rely on metrics that integrate different processes into a useful diagnostic. Terms such as age, turnover, residence, and transit times are often used for this purpose; however, these terms are variably defined in the literature and in many cases, calculations ignore assumptions implicit in their formulas. The aim of this opinion piece was i) to make evident these discrepancies and the incorrect use of formulas, ii) highlight recent results that simplify calculations and may help to avoid confusion, and iii) propose the adoption of simple and less ambiguous terms.