Project Priorities
I am deep in the process of determining how I will use the next 8 months most efficiently in a way that will honor a number of different research priorities. The purpose of this post is to document these priorities in a way that will hopefully organize my own thoughts, and communicate to folks what exactly I'm doing down here in Aysén! As both a Fulbright scholar and a human, I feel the need to do as much listening, observing, and learning as possible to understand what types of environmental problems exist in the Chilean Patagonia, so that our modeling can provide some useful or impactful information. This post is organized by:
1. past/current work in Colorado
2. future work in Colorado
3. work in Aysén
4. personal to-do list
Where I've been:
So far, my academic research has focused on aspect controls on hill slope hydrology. What does this mean? The Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory's field site at Gordon Gulch, CO, USA is characterized by a north- and a south-facing slope that are very distinct in multiple ways:
- snowpack: the snowpack on the pole-facing slope is persistent throughout the winter, while the snowpack on the equator-facing slope is very ephemeral
- vegetation: the pole-facing slope is dominated by dense lodgepole pines, while the equator-facing slope is dominated by sparse ponderosa pines
- soil temperature: although air temperatures on the two slopes are essentially the same, soil temperatures are very different
Our recent efforts have focused on developing a modeling framework that is capable of predicting these differences in soil temperatures. We found that in order to predict these differences, we must incorporate both:
1. The insulating effects of the snowpack (especially on the pole-facing slope)
2. The warming effects of solar radiation (especially on the equator-facing slope)
In doing so, we saw that the differences in soil temperatures produce differences in the occurrence of frozen ground, altering the seasonality of subsurface flow, and consequently, streamflow. These results are currently in the process of publication.
Figure 1. Gordon Gulch, CO, USA (Google Maps)
Figure 2. Gordon Gulch, CO, USA (pole-facing slope on the left, equator-facing slope on the right)
Where I'm going:
After going through the effort of developing the aforementioned models, I plan to apply them to other places and other times for my PhD thesis (!) What does this mean?
other places:
- field sites at different elevations
- field sites at different latitudes
other times:
- can we match past soil temperature data?
- can we project future soil temperatures?
Where I am now: (physically, in the Aysén region of the Chilean Patagonia)
This project is funded through the Fulbright commission, and the initial proposal is detailed here. Upon my arrival, my adviser indicated that nitrogen biogeochemistry is not as important as we initially thought because the volcanic ash soils (tephra) retain most nitrogen and the terrestrial ecosystems appear to be nitrogen-limited. I'm no expert in nitrogen biogeochemistry, and there may still be some interesting questions here once we determine flow paths, but until I see his datasets, it makes sense for me to focus on something that is within my wheelhouse. Although our original proposal has a 'nitrogen flavor,' my adviser and I have determined that the more important regional water questions are related to energy and water balance on the hill slope scale, which is within my wheelhouse! After the many meetings that I have presented at thus far, my project has narrowed in on a couple of primary research themes:
Aspect controls on hillslope hydrology:
I recently met with the Dirección General de Aguas (DGA), a government agency similar to the USGS, but more focused on practical questions of water availability and water rights, less on fundamental earth science questions. I presented (in Spanish) my recent work in Colorado and my general Fulbright goals in Aysén, and they were very excited about the idea of me studying aspect controls on hill slope hydrology, especially related to snow. They do not have the same subsurface parameters that we have at Gordon Gulch (i.e. soil temperature and moisture), but they have plenty of other meteorological data on aspect-delineated hill slopes. Obtaining snow data, however, may be a challenge. Today, we discussed two specific opportunities for collaboration (flying at the seat of my pants in rapid Chilean Spanish):
1. I will use their meteorological data to study aspect-related differences in the seasonality of surface and subsurface flows.
2. I will develop an easy-to-use tool in Python that they can use to continue my modeling efforts after I leave (this is exactly what we described in the Fulbright proposal)
Deforestation:
It makes sense to bring in a deforestation component for a number of reasons:
1. Our proposed field site, Coyhaique Alto, has plenty of examples of deforested, burned, and 'natural' undisturbed hill slopes
2. Deforestation is very relevant in the region and has the potential for societal impact (see this post)
3. There is already a great deal of literature in this field, so I'll be able to draw on existing work.
4. A couple California film-maker friends of mine have expressed interest in documenting the recent deforestation, bringing in the science, identifying opportunities for conservation, and perhaps encouraging a shift in our relationship to the land.
Specifically, this component will try to understand how deforestation may change the hill slope water and energy balance:
- How does the erosion of the surface organic layer and exposure of the underlying tephra change the hill slope water balance?
- How does the removal of the canopy change snow dynamics?
- How does the shift from evapotranspiration to bare soil evaporation change the water balance?
Perhaps it's not a good idea to do science with conservation on the back of my mind, but I struggle to detach myself from my natural affinities. Our models will produce the same results regardless of my feelings, so I feel pretty comfortable moving forward on this front. There are definitely some initial choices related to sensor locations that may influence our results, but as long as we choose these sites with science questions in mind, I don't think we can go wrong.
Soil ice:
Although my proposed thesis relates to the formation of seasonally frozen ground, this may not be as much of a factor in the Chilean Patagonia due to a number of reasons:
1. Mountains aren't very high! They top out at about 5,000 feet, so aren't quite as cold.
2. The oceanic climate buffers air temperatures much more than in the dry American West.
3. The oceanic climate brings a great deal of rain - if frozen ground were to form, I would expect it to quickly thaw due to advective heat transfer.
That said, I stumbled upon some needle ice a couple weeks back.
Personal To-do list: (feel free to stop reading at this point)
1. Support the publication of current work in Gordon Gulch with my PhD adviser.
2. Instrument hill slopes based on levels of forest disturbance in Coyhaique Alto.
3. Work with the DGA on obtaining their datasets and start developing simulations.
4. Push forward on modeling alpine sites in Colorado with existing LTER datasets.
1. past/current work in Colorado
2. future work in Colorado
3. work in Aysén
4. personal to-do list
Where I've been:
So far, my academic research has focused on aspect controls on hill slope hydrology. What does this mean? The Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory's field site at Gordon Gulch, CO, USA is characterized by a north- and a south-facing slope that are very distinct in multiple ways:
- snowpack: the snowpack on the pole-facing slope is persistent throughout the winter, while the snowpack on the equator-facing slope is very ephemeral
- vegetation: the pole-facing slope is dominated by dense lodgepole pines, while the equator-facing slope is dominated by sparse ponderosa pines
- soil temperature: although air temperatures on the two slopes are essentially the same, soil temperatures are very different
Our recent efforts have focused on developing a modeling framework that is capable of predicting these differences in soil temperatures. We found that in order to predict these differences, we must incorporate both:
1. The insulating effects of the snowpack (especially on the pole-facing slope)
2. The warming effects of solar radiation (especially on the equator-facing slope)
In doing so, we saw that the differences in soil temperatures produce differences in the occurrence of frozen ground, altering the seasonality of subsurface flow, and consequently, streamflow. These results are currently in the process of publication.
Figure 1. Gordon Gulch, CO, USA (Google Maps)
Figure 2. Gordon Gulch, CO, USA (pole-facing slope on the left, equator-facing slope on the right)
Where I'm going:
After going through the effort of developing the aforementioned models, I plan to apply them to other places and other times for my PhD thesis (!) What does this mean?
other places:
- field sites at different elevations
- field sites at different latitudes
other times:
- can we match past soil temperature data?
- can we project future soil temperatures?
Where I am now: (physically, in the Aysén region of the Chilean Patagonia)
This project is funded through the Fulbright commission, and the initial proposal is detailed here. Upon my arrival, my adviser indicated that nitrogen biogeochemistry is not as important as we initially thought because the volcanic ash soils (tephra) retain most nitrogen and the terrestrial ecosystems appear to be nitrogen-limited. I'm no expert in nitrogen biogeochemistry, and there may still be some interesting questions here once we determine flow paths, but until I see his datasets, it makes sense for me to focus on something that is within my wheelhouse. Although our original proposal has a 'nitrogen flavor,' my adviser and I have determined that the more important regional water questions are related to energy and water balance on the hill slope scale, which is within my wheelhouse! After the many meetings that I have presented at thus far, my project has narrowed in on a couple of primary research themes:
Aspect controls on hillslope hydrology:
I recently met with the Dirección General de Aguas (DGA), a government agency similar to the USGS, but more focused on practical questions of water availability and water rights, less on fundamental earth science questions. I presented (in Spanish) my recent work in Colorado and my general Fulbright goals in Aysén, and they were very excited about the idea of me studying aspect controls on hill slope hydrology, especially related to snow. They do not have the same subsurface parameters that we have at Gordon Gulch (i.e. soil temperature and moisture), but they have plenty of other meteorological data on aspect-delineated hill slopes. Obtaining snow data, however, may be a challenge. Today, we discussed two specific opportunities for collaboration (flying at the seat of my pants in rapid Chilean Spanish):
1. I will use their meteorological data to study aspect-related differences in the seasonality of surface and subsurface flows.
2. I will develop an easy-to-use tool in Python that they can use to continue my modeling efforts after I leave (this is exactly what we described in the Fulbright proposal)
Deforestation:
It makes sense to bring in a deforestation component for a number of reasons:
1. Our proposed field site, Coyhaique Alto, has plenty of examples of deforested, burned, and 'natural' undisturbed hill slopes
2. Deforestation is very relevant in the region and has the potential for societal impact (see this post)
3. There is already a great deal of literature in this field, so I'll be able to draw on existing work.
4. A couple California film-maker friends of mine have expressed interest in documenting the recent deforestation, bringing in the science, identifying opportunities for conservation, and perhaps encouraging a shift in our relationship to the land.
Specifically, this component will try to understand how deforestation may change the hill slope water and energy balance:
- How does the erosion of the surface organic layer and exposure of the underlying tephra change the hill slope water balance?
- How does the removal of the canopy change snow dynamics?
- How does the shift from evapotranspiration to bare soil evaporation change the water balance?
Perhaps it's not a good idea to do science with conservation on the back of my mind, but I struggle to detach myself from my natural affinities. Our models will produce the same results regardless of my feelings, so I feel pretty comfortable moving forward on this front. There are definitely some initial choices related to sensor locations that may influence our results, but as long as we choose these sites with science questions in mind, I don't think we can go wrong.
Soil ice:
Although my proposed thesis relates to the formation of seasonally frozen ground, this may not be as much of a factor in the Chilean Patagonia due to a number of reasons:
1. Mountains aren't very high! They top out at about 5,000 feet, so aren't quite as cold.
2. The oceanic climate buffers air temperatures much more than in the dry American West.
3. The oceanic climate brings a great deal of rain - if frozen ground were to form, I would expect it to quickly thaw due to advective heat transfer.
That said, I stumbled upon some needle ice a couple weeks back.
Personal To-do list: (feel free to stop reading at this point)
1. Support the publication of current work in Gordon Gulch with my PhD adviser.
2. Instrument hill slopes based on levels of forest disturbance in Coyhaique Alto.
3. Work with the DGA on obtaining their datasets and start developing simulations.
4. Push forward on modeling alpine sites in Colorado with existing LTER datasets.
Very interesting. Wondering if the weather stations transmit information to a receiver somewhere or do you have to download information at the station?
ReplyDeleteThey transmit wirelessly, but only up to 1000 feet...so we'll have to download data at the station.
ReplyDelete