Anthropogenic climate change represents a major threat to every aspect of ecosystem services impacting millions of people worldwide.  Forests store the largest fraction of organic carbon and climate models predict that their distributions are likely to be severely altered in the 21^st century.  However, few models consider the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance and management history on forest dynamics, though effects such as increased fire susceptibility through partial harvesting of tropical forests, are well known.  As part of the HSBC Climate Partnership, the Earthwatch Institute developed a global research program in the US, UK, Brazil, India and China that aims to quantify the role of human activities and management in determining climate-driven forest dynamics in a series of permanent secondary forest study plots.  In North America, the whole ecosystem carbon balance and dynamics are measured among replicates of two forest stand ages (intermediate and mature) within two forest management types (logged and intact).  The effects of climatic trends and variability are monitored by relating weather variables to tree and animal population dynamics, phenology, and carbon stocks through techniques such as tree species census, species mapping, leaf litter traps, dendrometer bands, microclimate sensors, and animal exclosures.  An important component of the program is the engagement of thousands of HSBC employees as citizen scientists through hands on field research opportunities and an interactive education program on the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of climate change.  In addition, participants are empowered to transfer the knowledge of climate change and sustainability into action plans upon their return to their business environment. 

Results/Conclusions

Starting in late 2007, the North America Regional Climate Center has successfully utilized this unique citizen science model to collect critical research data in a mid-Atlantic forest on the Chesapeake Bay.  Currently, 8 1-ha permanent plots have been mapped with 10,187 trees (≥ 1 cm dbh) measured and tagged representing 54 different species.  This represents ~5,000 volunteer research man hours invested in the first year of the field program.  Initial research results document the aboveground carbon balance of the studies plots.  This five-year global program seeks to understand sustainable forest management in a changing climate through hands-on and classroom education for corporate based citizen scientists in the largest and most ambitious engagement program of its kind.