Tropical ecosystems play an important role in the regional and global climate system through the exchange of greenhouse gases (GHGs), water and energy and provide important ecosystems services. However, increasing pressures from rapidly growing populations have resulted in intensive transformation of tropical landscapes resulting in deforestation, agricultural expansion, erosion and fire. Carbon-rich ecosystems such as peatlands and forests are particularly threatened, as deforestation and drainage alter their fluxes of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), carbon dioxide and methane. Across the tropics, land use impacts, in combination with climate change, are altering biogeochemical cycles and hydrology, highlighting the need for new observations and understanding that will support sustainable management in these ecosystems.

However, we are limited by both a lack of data and fundamental understanding of tropical landscapes and peatlands. In this session we welcome contributions that provide insights on how changes in climate and land use impact biogeochemical cycles and ecohydrology in the tropics. We invite work on pristine, degraded and agricultural ecosystems, including but not limited to forests, savannahs, oil palm plantations, peatlands, wetlands, lakes and rivers. At the site-level, we welcome studies including laboratory and field experiments, eddy covariance and flux measurements and process-based models. At larger spatial scales, we invite the application of earth observation and modeling tools including airborne and remote sensing products (i.e. LIDAR, SAR and Optical), forest mapping, calibration and validation of new tools, and large-scale simulations, including those addressing climate sensitivity, fire risk and disturbance. Finally, we encourage representation of all tropical regions, including South and Southeast Asia, Africa and the Americas.