Critical Zone Observatories
| Abbreviation | CZO |
|---|---|
| Motto | To discover how Earth's living skin is structured, evolves, and provides critical functions that sustains life |
| Formation | 2007 |
| Affiliations | CZEN, NSF, PRI, LTER, SoilTrEC |
| Website | criticalzone.org/national/ |
Critical Zone Observatories (CZO) is an interdisciplinary collaborative research project across nine institutions with the purpose of understanding the chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes that both shape the surface of Earth and support terrestrial life.[1] Active CZO sites include locations in Boulder Creek, Calhoun, Eel River, Intensively Managed Landscapes (IML), Jemez River Basin & Santa Catalina Mountains, Luquillo, Reynolds Creek, Susquehanna Shale Hills, and Southern Sierra.
Funded by the National Science Foundation,[2] CZO has been working since its 2007 inception to critically engage the scientific community and increase understanding of the importance of Critical Zone science.[3][4]
Mission
To use its institutions together to create a unique network that fosters scientific inquiry and discovery with regards to Earth's Critical Zone.[3] Much like the interconnectedness of Earth's critical zone systems, CZO relies upon a range of disciplines, including geosciences, hydrology, microbiology, ecology, soil science, and engineering, to develop a theoretical spatial-temporal framework for critical zone evolution for both quantifiable and conceptualized data analyses.
Education and Outreach
Through research and education opportunities associated with each CZO, cross-CZO scientific endeavors, and annual meetings, CZO uses a variety of interfaces to communicate Critical Zone science to students and teachers.
NSF-funded Critical Zone Observatories
| Year Established | Critical Zone Observatory |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Boulder Creek CZO |
| 2007 | Susquehanna Shale Hills CZO |
| 2007 | Southern Sierra CZO |
| 2009 - 2012 | Christina River Basin CZO |
| 2009 | Catalina-Jemez CZO |
| 2009 | Luquillo CZO |
| 2014 | Calhoun CZO |
| 2014 | Eel River CZO |
| 2014 | Intensively Managed Landscapes (IML) CZO |
| 2014 | Reynolds Creek CZO |
National Office
In 2014, a National Office branch was formalized to facilitate communication and collaboration among researchers and students, support education and outreach initiatives, coordinate data protocols and common measurements, and to provide a single point of contact for the Critical Zone Observatories.
Critical Zone Observatories Worldwide
According to SoilTrEC, there are 46 Critical Zone Observatories globally, with the majority in North America and Europe.[5] There are 17 CZOs in Europe, 5 in Southeast Asia, 3 near Australia, 2 CZOs in Africa, and 2 in South America.[6]
References
- ↑ Lin H.; Hopmans J.W.; Richter D. (2011). "Interdisciplinary Sciences in a Global Network of Critical Zone Observatories". Vadose Zone Journal. 10.
- ↑ "NSF awards grants for four new critical zone observatories to study Earth surface processes | NSF - National Science Foundation". www.nsf.gov. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
- 1 2 Anderson, S. P.; Bales, R. C.; Duffy, C. J. "Critical Zone Observatories: Building a network to advance interdisciplinary study of Earth surface processes". Mineralogical Magazine. 72 (1): 7–10. doi:10.1180/minmag.2008.072.1.7.
- ↑ Anderson, Suzanne Prestrud; Blanckenburg, Friedhelm von; White, Arthur F. (2007-10-01). "Physical and Chemical Controls on the Critical Zone". Elements. 3 (5): 315–319. doi:10.2113/gselements.3.5.315. ISSN 1811-5209.
- ↑ "SoilTrEC - World Critical Zone Observatories". www.soiltrec.eu. Retrieved 2015-11-16.
- ↑ Banwart, Steven; Menon, Manoj; Bernasconi, Stefano M.; Bloem, Jaap; Blum, Winfried E.H.; Souza, Danielle Maia de; Davidsdotir, Brynhildur; Duffy, Christopher; Lair, Georg J. "Soil processes and functions across an international network of Critical Zone Observatories: Introduction to experimental methods and initial results". Comptes Rendus Geoscience. 344 (11–12): 758–772. doi:10.1016/j.crte.2012.10.007.