Introduction to Critical Zone Science; 8-9:10 TR, UA-PAS 316, Dr. Washburne (v.8/21/15)
List of Topics by Day/Date
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Date
8/25
8/27
9/1
9/3
9/8
9/10
9/15
9/17
9/22
9/24
9/29
10/1
10/6
10/8
10/13
10/15
10/20
10/22
10/27
10/29
11/3
11/5
11/10
11/12
11/17
11/19
11/24
11/26
12/1
12/3
12/8
Unit
0.1
1.1.1
1.2.1
1.2.2
1.3.1
2.1.2
2.2.1
2.1.1
2.2.2
3.1.1
3.1.2
3.2.1
3.2.2
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.2.1
4.2.2
5.1.1
5.1.2
5.2.1
5.2.2
6.1.1
6.1.2
6.2.1
6.2.2
7.1.1
7.1.2
7.2.1
8.1
8.1
Topic
Introductions & Integrate docs
CZ Background; CZO Science reports
Soil forming Factors
Web Soil Survey
Systems - Five-spheres
Spreadsheet Skills
CZ Concepts & Methods
Research methods – Jim out
Methods reports
Water & Energy Budgets and Fluxes
CZO database graphs
Carbon Budgets and Fluxes
Eddy Correlation
Water Balance - point
Water Balance - tree
Water Balance - Watershed
Sim Water
Rock Cycle and Tectonics
National Geologic Map Database
Landforms reports
Aerial Photographs
BioGeoChemical Cycle
Carbon & Nitrogen
Deadzone activity
Eutrophication
Human Impacts
Model My Watershed
Thanksgiving
Soil Carbon
Final Presentations
Final Presentations
Introduction to Critical Zone Science
Summary of Student Work by Module
Note: (Full citations follow)
Module 0 – Intro and Pre-assessment
Day/
In-class Topic
unit
1/
- Student ID = Site Lat/Lon(5dig)- UA-ID (4dig)
0.1
Overview of course
Introduce homework
Explain consent form and need for survey data
- student consent form
- pre/post geoscience literacy exam (GLE) (8 MC
questions)
- pre/post instruction attitudinal survey (on-line)
(6 questions + demographics)
Module 1 – CZ Background
Day
In-class Topic/Activity
2/
Topic
1.1.1 - Reading Groups – Brief Reports/Summary/Disc.
Review initial thoughts about CZ definition
Introduce final semester project (1:1 mtgs)
3/
Lec: Soil formation factors
1.2.1 Videos
Disc: Impacts of soil erosion in the CZ
4/
1.2.2 WebSoilSurvey
5/
Five –spheres
1.3.1 - Reading Groups – Brief Reports/Summary/Disc.
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Readings & Websites
HW Assignments
Read
- Course syllabus and policies
pre/post One-page CZ Definition (4 aspects) &
learning goals
Readings & Websites (97 p +)
pre-Read (groups)
1. NAP (2001), pp . 35-45
2. Brantley, et al (2006), pp. 1-30
3. Banwart et al (2014), all
4. NSF Panel (2011)
Browse/review 5 web sites (in-class)
pre-Read
Brady & Weil (2002), pp. 39-64 OR
HW/D2L Assignments
Group Reading reports & 5 minute presentations
on CZO Introduction
plus 9 web sites:
Browse “12 soil orders” (in-class)
pre-Read
Brantley, et al (2007), pp. 307-314
Mann, C. (2008), pp. 80–106
System Behavior and System Modeling", pp. 1-19
plus group readings ~ 10 pgs
Act 1.1: “12 Soil Orders”, 2 pg. report (HW)
Act 1.2: SoilSurvey report (HW)
Act 1.3: Group reading reports & 5-minute
presentations on “5 Spheres”
Act 1.4: CZ System Diagram (HW)
Module 2 – Methods in CZ Science
Day
In-class Topic/Activity
8/
Research Methods - Librarian Visit
2.1.1 - In-class literature research
Readings & Websites (??p +)
Browse/review 2 web sites
HW Assignments
Act 2.1: Annotated Bibliography (5 sources) (HW)
Act 2.2: Spreadsheet (HW)
6/
Spreadsheet Skills
2.1.2 - In-class – explore CZO data sets
7/
Basic CZ Concepts & Methods
2.2.1 - Reading groups – reports/discussion
Groups will read/analyze assigned topics on CZ
concepts ( in-class)
9/
Act 2.3: Group presentations on CZ Methods
2.2.2
Reflect on what you have learned essay??
Module 3 – Land-atmosphere Exchanges
Day
In-class Topic/Activity
10 / Intro to Water & Energy budgets and fluxes
3.1.1 - Lecture
- Act 3.1 – Discovery activity - Explore
CZO/Met/flux database
11/
- Act 3.3 - Discovery activity – Examining Annual
3.1.2 Energy Balance graphs
12 / Intro to Carbon budgets and fluxes
3.2.1 - Lecture
- Act 3.5 - Discovery activity - Examining Annual
Carbon Flux Graphs
- Act 3.6a – Exploring Ameriflux database
13/
Intro to Eddy Correlation and Modeling
3.2.2 - Lecture
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Readings & Websites (55 p +)
pre-Read:
Rasmussen, et.al. (2011), pp. 15-29
HW Assignments
Act 3.2 – Working with CZO/Met/flux database Energy Flux Graphing (HW)
pre-Read:
Brown, P.; (2005), 12 p.
pre-Read:
US Carbon Cycle Science Program, What is the
Carbon Cycle?
Wikipedia, Primary Productivity
Act 3.4 – Working with CZO/Met/flux database Reference ET (HW)
Pre-read:
Luyssaert, et al., (2007), pp. 2509-2537.
Act 3.7 - Working with the Ameriflux database –
Carbon Flux Hypothesis (HW)
Act 3.6b – Working with the Ameriflux database
– Carbon Flux Graphing (HW)
Module 4 – Water Transfer through the CZ
Day
In-class Topic/Activity
14/
Water balance at a point
4.1.1 - Lecture
- Act 4.1 – Water balance at CZO scale
- Lecture
15/
- Act 4.1 –Water balance of a tree
4.1.2
16/
Water balance at larger scales
4.2.1 - Lecture
- Act 4.3 – class discussion
17/
- Act 4.4 – Sim Water
4.2.2
Readings & Websites (64 p +)
pre-Read:
Dingman, & Lawrence (2002), 27 pgs
HW Assignments
- - Act 4.1 –Water balance of a tree (HW)
pre-Read:
Allen (2007)
- Act 4.4 – Sim Water write up (HW)
Module 5 – Landform & Landscape Evolution
Day
In-class Topic/Activity
18/
Rock Cycle and Tectonics
5.1.1 - Reading groups – Brief Reports/Summary/Disc.
National Geologic Map Database
19/
- class demo
5.1.2 - Act 5.1 NGM database
20/
Landforms
5.2.1 - Reading groups – Brief Reports/Summary/Disc.
- View and discuss some landform images
21/
- Lecture – Intro to RS and Aerial photography
5.2.2 - Act 5.2 - Aerial photos activity
Readings & Websites (24 p +)
pre-Read (5 hrs):
Anderson et al. (2007), pp. 315-319.
plus 7 web sites
HW Assignments
- 4 questions
– short report of your results
pre-read (5 hrs):
Birkeland (1999), Ch.9
plus many web sites
- Aerial photographs landscape/geomorphology
1 pg report
Module 6 – Geochemistry & BGC
Day
22/
6.1.1
23/
6.1.2
In-class Topic/Activity
BGC Modeling Framework
- Review BGC slides
- Reading groups – Brief Reports/Summary/Disc.
- Act 6.1 - Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Activity
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Readings & Websites (75 p +)
pre-read (~ 20 pgs ea)
4 sets of reading for different groups
HW Assignments
General Scientific Habit of Mind Question
Related reading questions
Optional capstone research presentation
24/
6.2.1
Dead Zone activity
Plot the dead zone
25/
6.2.2
Eutrophication controls
plus many web sites
Petty (1998),10 pgs
Filippelli (2002), 35 pgs
Buss, et al. (2010)
Concept Map
Summary or case-study
Nutrient challenge activity
Crystal Ball capstone
Module 7 – Humans in the CZ
Day
In-class Topic/Activity
26/
Model my watershed activity
1. BMP Assignment
7.1.1
2. Model my watershed
3. In class discussion
27/
4. Types of farming project
7.1.2
5. Dust Bowl 3-page summary
6. Christina River Basin CZO Report
Readings & Websites (34 p +)
plus many web sites
28/
Comparison of soil carbon by land use
7.2.1
29/
Ag Impacts?
7.2.2
Montgomery, 34 pg
plus many web sites
HW Assignments
pre/post test
Module 8 – Post-assessment and Final Projects
Day/
In-class Topic/Activity
30 / Final Project Presentations
8.1
- paper and powepoint to SERC
- pre/post geoscience literacy exam (GLE) (8
multiple-choice questions)
- pre/post attitudinal survey
- post GLE essay questions (2)
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Readings & Websites
HW Assignments
pre/post One-page CZ Definition (4 aspects)
REFERENCES
CRITICAL ZONE BACKGROUND
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Committee on Basic Research Opportunities in the Earth Sciences. (2001). The Critical Zone: Earth's Near-surface Environment. In Basic Research
Opportunities in Earth Science (pp. 35–45). Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.
Brantley, S., White, T., White, A., Sparks, D., Richter, D., Pregitzer, K., et al. (2006). Frontiers in exploration of the Critical Zone. In Frontiers in exploration
of the Critical Zone: Report of a workshop sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) (pp. 1–30). Newark, DE.
Banwart, S., Chorover, J., Gaillardet, J., Sparks, D., White, T., et al. (2013). Sustaining Earth's Critical Zone: Basic Science and Interdisciplinary Solutions for
Global Challenges, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom, ISBN: 978-0-9576890-0-8.
McCauley, Jones and Jacobsen (2005). Basic Soil Properties, Soil & Water Management Module 1, Montana SU Extension, Pub#4481-1, 12 pgs
Brady, N. C., and R. R. Weil (2002). Formation of Soils from Parent Materials. In The Nature and Properties of Soils (13th ed., pp. 39–64). Upper Saddle
River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
Brantley, S. L., Goldhaber, M. B., & Ragnarsdottir, K. V. (2007). Crossing disciplines and scales to understand the critical zone. Elements, 3(5), 307–14.
Mann, C. (2008). Our Good Earth. National Geographic, 214(3), 80–106.
Atmosphere and hydrosphere (climate and hydrology):
o IPCC, 2008, Climate Change and Water
Wilkinson, B. H. (2005). Humans as geologic agents; a deep-time perspective. Geology (Boulder), 33(3), 161–4.
Montgomery, D. R. (2007). Is agriculture eroding civilization's foundation? GSA Today, 17(10), 4–9 . doi: 10.1130/GSAT01710A.1.
Vitousek, P. M., Mooney, H. A., Lubchenco, J., & Melillo, J. M. (1997). Human domination of Earth's ecosystems. Science, 277(5325), 494–9.
Soil: Richter, D. D. J. Humanity's Transformation of Earth's Soil: Pedology's New Frontier. Soil Science, 172(12), 957–67.
Sugden, A., Stone, R., & Ash, C. (2004). Ecology in the Underworld. Science, 304(5677), 1613–1615.
Kaiser, J. (2004). Wounding Earth's Fragile Skin. Science, 304(5677), 1616–1618.
Stokstad, E. (2004). Defrosting the Carbon Freezer of the North. Science, 304(5677), 1618–1620.
McNeill, J. R., & Winiwarter, V. (2004). Breaking the Sod: Humankind, History, and Soil. Science, 304(5677), 1627–1629.
METHODS IN CZ SCIENCE
LAND-ATMOSPHERE EXCHANGE
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Rasmussen, et.al, 2011, An open system framework for integrating critical zone structure and function, Biogeochem, 102:15-29. DOI 10.1007/s10533010-9476-8
Brown, P.; Standardized Reference Evapotranspiration, AZ Coop.Extension, 2005, 12 p. ag.arizona.edu/pubs/water/az1324.pdf
US Carbon Cycle Science Program, What is the Carbon Cycle?
Wikipedia, Primary Productivity
Luyssaert, et al., 2007, Global Change Biology, 13, 2509-2537.
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WATER TRANSFER THROUGH THE CZ
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Dingman, S. Lawrence. Chapters 1 and 2. "Introduction to Hydrologic Science" and "Basic Hydrologic Concepts". Physical Hydrology. Second Ed. Prentice
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Hunsaker, C.T., T.W. Whitaker, and R.C. Bales. 2012. Snowmelt runoff and water yield along elevation and temperature gradients in California's southern
Sierra Nevada. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(4): 667-678. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2012.00641.x (link may require
a subscription to Wiley)
Bales, R.C., J.W. Hopmans, A.T. O'Geen, M. Meadows, P.C. Hartsough, P. Kirchner, C.T. Hunsaker, and D. Beaudette. 2011. Soil Moisture Response to
Snowmelt and Rainfall in a Sierra Nevada Mixed-Conifer Forest. Vadose Zone J. 10:786–799. doi:10.2136/vzj2011.0001.
Allen, C.D. 2007. Interactions Across Spatial Scales among Forest Dieback, Fire, and Erosion in Northern New Mexico Landscapes. Ecosystems 10: 797–
808. DOI: 10.1007/s10021-007-9057-4.
Tague, C., and H. Peng (2013), The sensitivity of forest water use to the timing of precipitation and snowmelt recharge in the California Sierra:
Implications for a warming climate, J. Geophys. Res. Biogeosci., 118, 875–887, doi:10.1002/jgrg.20073.
Lui, F., Hunsaker, C.T., Bales, R.B. Controls of streamflow generation in small catchments across the snow-rain transition in the southern Sierra Nevada,
California. Hydrological Processes p. 1959, vol. 27, (2013). Published, DOI: 10.1002/hyp.9304
LANDFORM AND LANDSCAPE EVOLUTION
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Chapter 9 in Birkeland, P. W. (1999). Soils and Geomorphology (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
NASA, Geomorphology Chapter 4: Introduction to Fluvial Landform
Pidwirny (2006) Fundamentals of Physical Geography eBook, Chapter 10.z: Fluvial Landforms
Pidwirny (2006) Fundamentals of Physical Geography eBook, Chapter 10.ah: Eolian Processes and Landforms
USACE (1991) Remote Sensing Field Guide - Desert (PDF, 363 pp, barely legible)
Ritter (2006) The Physical Environment, Ch.19, Glacial Systems
Pidwirny (2008)Encyclopedia of the Earth: Periglacial Processes and Landforms
Ritter (2006) The Physical Environment, Ch.21, Coastal Landforms and Processes
Chapter 10.ac, Coastal and Marine Processes and Landforms
Chapter 10.ac_2, Coastal and Marine Processes and Landforms: Wave Refraction, Erosion, and Deposition
GEOCHEMISTRY AND BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
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Environment. 68:208-220.
 McDowell, W.H. 1998. Internal nutrient fluxes in a Puerto Rican rainforest. Journal of Tropical Ecology. 14: 521-536
 Helfield, J.M. and R.J. Naiman. 2001. Effects of salmon-derived nitrogen on riparian forest growth and implications for stream productivity. Ecology.
82:2403-2409. (Also works in "Role of Organisms in Biogeochemistry" section)
 McDowell, W.H. and S.G. Fisher. 1976. Autumnal processing of dissolved organic matter in a small woodland stream ecosystem. Ecology. 57: 561-569.
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Bump, J.K. et al. 2009. Wolves modulate soil nutrient heterogeneity and foliar nitrogen by configuring the distribution of ungulate carcasses. Ecology. 90:
3159-3167.
Lavery, T.J. et al. 2010. Iron defecation by sperm whales stimulates carbon export in the Southern Ocean. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological
Sciences. 277: 3527-3531.
Vitousek, P.M. and W. A. Rainers. 1975. Ecosystem succession and nutrient retention: a hypothesis. Bioscience. 25: 376-381
Tilman D. et al. 1996. Productivity and sustainability influenced by biodiversity in grassland ecosystems. Nature. 379: 718-720.
Hungate et al. 2003. Nitrogen and climate change. Science. 302: 1512.
Mulholland et al. 2008. Stream denitrification across biomes and its response to anthropogenic nitrate loading. Nature. 452: 202-205.
Weiss, S.B. 1999. Cows, cars, and checkerspot butterflies: nitrogen deposition and management of nutrient-poor grasslands for a threatened species.
Conservation Biology. 13: 1476-1486
McClain, M.E. et al. 2003. Biogeochemical hot spots and hot moments at the interface of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Ecosystems. 6: 301-312.
Zak, D.R. et al. 2006: A Molecular Dawn for Biogeochemistry. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 21: 288-295.
Swap, R. et al. 1992. Saharan dust in the Amazon Basin. Tellus. 44B: 133-149.
Alexander, R.B., R.A. Smith, G.E. Schwarz, E.W. Boyer, J.V. Nolan, and J.W. Brakebill. 2008. Differences in phosphorus and nitrogen delivery to the Gulf of
Mexico from the Missississippi River Basin. Environ. Sci. Technol. 42(3):822-830 doi:10.1021/es0716103
Banwart. 2011. Save our soils. Nature. 474: 151-152.
Buss H.L., Mathur R., White A.F., and Brantley S.L. 2010. Phosphorus cycling in deep saprolite, Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico. Chemical Geology. DOI:
10.1016/j.chemgeo.2009.08.001
Filippelli, G. M. 2002. The global phosphorus cycle. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry 48: 391–425.
(http://www.agci.org/dB/PDFs/09S2_GFilippelli_GlobalPCycle.pdf) (Pre and post Agriculture P Cycling Activity)
Carpenter, S.R., N.R. Caraco, D.L. Corell, R.W. Howarth, A.N. Sharpley, and V.H. Smith. 1998. Nonpoint source pollution of surface waters with
phosphorus and nitrogen. Ecological Applications. 8(3):559-568. (http://www.wvuforestry.com/tPetty/Limnology_Carpenter1998.pdf)
HUMANS IN THE CZ
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Dust Bowl chapter in: Dirt, the Erosion of Civilization, David R. Montgomery (2007)
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