1604624

Alex Valach

2018 - present Postdoctoral Scholar, Biometeorology Lab, University of California, Berkeley, USA.

2015 - 2017 Antarctic Atmospheric Scientist, British Antarctic Survey, Halley Research Station, Antarctica.

Education

PhD Environmental Science, Lancaster University, UK, 2015.

BSc (Hons) Ecology (Agronomy), Lancaster University, UK, 2011.

Research Interests / Specializations:

Atmospheric Chemistry, Biosphere-Atmosphere Interactions, Ecosystem Ecology, Eddy Covariance, Biogeochemical Cycling, Climate Change

Research Description:

My research focuses on biosphere-atmosphere interactions and feedbacks with climate change and land-use using eddy covariance flux measurements. I'm currently working on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta wetland system and am interested in understanding the carbon, water, and energy fluxes, as well as the effects of past and current land-use practices on the natural and restored wetlands, and agricultural fields. My aim is to develop strategies for sustainable ecosystem management and wetland restoration in the Delta to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, replenish the subsided soils, protect local infrastructure and resources, and optimize carbon sequestration.

Selected Publications

Hemes, K.S., Chamberlain, S.D., Eichelmann, E., Anthony, T., Valach, A.C., Kasak, K., Szutu, D., Verfaillie, J., Silver, W.L., and Baldocchi, D.D. (2019), Assessing the carbon and climate benefit of restoring degraded agricultural peat soils to managed wetlands, Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 268, 202-214, doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2019.01.017.

Langford, B., Cash, J., Acton, W.J.F., Valach, A.C., Hewitt, C.N., Fares, S., Goded, I., Gruening, C., House, E.R., Kalogridis, A., Gros, V., Schafers, R., Thomas, R., Broadmeadow, M.S.J., and Nemitz, E. (2017), Isoprene emission potentials from European oak forests derived from canopy flux measurements: An assessment of uncertainties and inter-algorithm variability, Biogeoscience 14, 23, 5571-5594.

Acton, J., Schallhart, S., Langford, B., Valach, A.C., Rantala, P., Fares, S., Carriero, G., Tillmann, R., Tomlinson, S.J., Dragosits, U., Gianelle, D., Hewitt, C.N.P., and Nemitz, E. (2016), Canopy-scale flux measurements and bottom-up emission estimates of volatile organic compounds from a mixed oak and hornbeam forest in northern Italy, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 16, 7149-7170.

Langford, B., Acton, J., Ammann, C., Valach, A.C., and Nemitz, E. (2015), Eddy-covariance data with low signal-to-noise ratio: time-lag determination, uncertainties and limit of detection, Atmospheric Measurement Techniques 8, 4197-4213.

Valach, A.C., Langford, B., Nemitz, E., MacKenzie, A.R., and Hewitt, C.N.P. (2015), Seasonal and diurnal trends in concentrations and fluxes of volatile organic compounds in central London, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 15(14), 7777-7796.

Bohnenstengel, S.I., Belcher, S.E., Aiken, A., Allan, J.D. … Valach, A.C., and Zotter, P. (2015), Meteorology, air quality, and health in London: The ClearfLo project, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 96 (5), 779-804.

Valach, A.C., Langford, B., Nemitz, E., MacKenzie, R., and Hewitt, C.N. (2014), Concentrations of selected volatile organic compounds at kerbside and background sites in central London, Atmospheric Environment 95, 456-467.