Observatory: National CZO

Author(s): Timothy White (Pennsylvania State University)

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Contact(s):

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Funding: National Science Foundation–funded SERC InTeGrate project

Related Resource(s):

• CZ Science 0. Undergrad course (7 modules)
• CZ Science 2. Methods of Critical Zone Science
• CZ Science 3. Critical Zone architecture & evolution
• CZ Science 4. Land-atmosphere exchange
• CZ Science 5. Water transfer through the Critical Zone
• CZ Science 6. Geochemistry & biogeochemistry
• CZ Science 7. Humans in the Critical Zone

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Details for this Resource

In this module, students are introduced to the Critical Zone as a complex system that requires directed transdisciplinary study to understand: as of April 2017, Critical Zone science is just one decade old and is evolving as this course develops. Many of the fundamental approaches and concepts of Critical Zone science are derived from decades of soil science and related research endeavors now applied to conceptualizing and constructing systems models that will allow scientists to predict the effects of ongoing land use and climate change on the Critical Zone.

Module Outline

• Unit 1.1: CZ Overview (One 75 min class session)
• Unit 1.2 Role of Soils in the Critical Zone (Two 75 min class sessions)
• Unit 1.3: Introduction to system modeling and sample design (One 75 min class session)

In these three units, students will:

• Define the CZ, stressing:
  • Importance and state of the CZ
  • Temporal and spatial scales of study
  • The science as a transdisciplinary and international pursuit
  • Observatory and environmental gradient approach
  • Outstanding questions
• Build framework for considering CZ processes and function
  • Access and consider existing online data
  • Introduce system modeling, research approaches, infrastructure and sample design