Asian change in the context of global climate change : impact of natural and anthropogenic changes in Asia on global biogeochemistry

Nearly two-thirds of the world's population lives in Asia, and many countries in that region are currently undergoing very rapid industrial, agricultural and economic development. The Framework Convention on Climate Change constrains developed countries with regard to their future emissions of greenhouse gases, but recognises the special needs of developing countries. There is growing appreciation of the ways in which developing countries in the Asian region both contribute to global changes (by altering biogeochemical pathways and cycles) and are themselves affected by those changes. This volume uses the intellectual efforts and findings of the IGBP community to provide the first integrated analysis of the interactions between global change and Asian change, with particular attention given to the role of China. The book will be of interest to readers in a wide range of academic disciplines (natural sciences and socio-economic) and for those involved in national and international policy development relevant to global change.