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Research Opportunity for all GLOBE Schools!

In my work at NASA on Earth System Science, I have been developing a computer simulation model which we call FroST (an abbreviation which stands for Frozen Soil Temperatures). In order to run FroST we need Soil Characterization data to define soil properties. These data include those you are measuring in GLOBE following the Soil Characterization Protocols (e.g. bulk density, particle size distribution, horizons, etc.) We make the model run using climate data for the area we are modeling, and the equations within the model predict the moisture and temperature in each horizon of the soil over time. We then use soil moisture and temperature data from measurements at specific locations to test how close our model predictions are to the real soil properties.

So far, we have used and tested this model in cold, northern forests and have found that the model predictions do very well when compared with temperature data (click here to see figure showing comparison). We chose this cold climate because it is a region that is expected to be sensitive to climate warming that may occur with global change. Once we feel confident that the model predictions are sufficiently accurate, we can use it to calculate how the soil would respond to different conditions which may occur as climate changes. These changes include increased temperature, more or less rainfall, snow fall coming at different times, etc. The response of the soil effects many other properties of the ecosystem. In addition, the amount of decomposition of organic matter (leaves, branches, and other litter), soil fertility (pH, and N,P, K, and other nutrients), and the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other gases released by the soil will change. All of these things are interrelated, so that a small change in one, will affect the others.

How to become a part of this research project.

When you collect the Soil Characterization and Soil Moisture and Temperature measurements at your school, along with the other data required, you are enabling me to test this model world-wide. Your information is helping Earth Scientists understand more about how ecosystems function and will help them to study the possible changes in store for the global climate.

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