Plain English Summary

The National Natural Science Foundation of China hosted five national funders from China, France, Germany, UK and USA in May 2014 to explore an international CZO programme. The five funders met again in December 2014 to agree steps to form an international Critical Zone Forum for joint research. The Beijing workshop report can be found below.  

Abstract

Science funding agencies in China, France, Germany, UK, and USA convened 40 leading Earth systems scientists with the aim of drafting the science content and schedule of actions to initiate a multilateral international research programme in Critical Zone science. Science questions focussed on past evolution of CZ architecture, how that evolution shapes current CZ functions, and how these functions respond to human impact and intervention; participants also considered methods of investigation to quantify the 3-D spatial-temporal structure and function of Earth’s CZ. Conferees identified initial steps to establish methods for common observations, governance and data sharing and management. Discussions among funders confirm broad multi-national support for the science agenda and aspirations of the CZ science community. A series of actions were proposed to help develop international collaboration and funding for multilateral CZ research. This schedule of actions includes an initial rapid dissemination of workshop outputs via blogs, news releases, popular and technical science articles submitted by the end of 2014, and establishment of an international scientific committee by the funders. It is the aim of the scientific community to have a framework for a multilateral CZ programme and a roadmap to deliver this, in place by the end of 2014.

Citation

Banwart, S. and Zhu, C. (2015): Frontiers in International Critical Zone Science - Beijing, China Workshop Report. Beijing Workshop Report, May 21-23, 2014.