Critical Zone Observatories

Interdisciplinary research project

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Critical Zone ObservatoriesAbbreviation| CZO

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Formation| 2007
Affiliations| CZEN, NSF, PRI, LTER, SoilTrEC
Website| czo-archive.criticalzone.org/national/

Critical Zone Observatories (CZO) is an interdisciplinary collaborative research project across nine institutions with the purpose of understanding the chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes that both shape the surface of Earth and support terrestrial life.[1] Active CZO sites include locations in Boulder Creek, Calhoun, Eel River, Intensively Managed Landscapes (IML), Jemez River Basin & Santa Catalina Mountains, Luquillo, Reynolds Creek, Susquehanna Shale Hills, and Southern Sierra.

Funded by the National Science Foundation,[2] CZO has been working since its 2007 inception to critically engage the scientific community and increase understanding of the importance of Critical Zone science.[3][4]

Earth's Critical Zone. Illustration by Critical Zone Observatories (CZO) based on a figure in Chorover et al. 2007.

## Mission

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To use its institutions together to create a unique network that fosters scientific inquiry and discovery with regards to Earth's Critical Zone.[3] Much like the interconnectedness of Earth's critical zone systems, CZO relies upon a range of disciplines, including geosciences, hydrology, microbiology, ecology, soil science, and engineering, to develop a theoretical spatial-temporal framework for critical zone evolution for both quantifiable and conceptualized data analyses.

## Education and outreach

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Through research and education opportunities associated with each CZO, cross-CZO scientific endeavors, and annual meetings, CZO uses a variety of interfaces to communicate Critical Zone science to students and teachers.

## NSF-funded Critical Zone Observatories

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Year Established | Critical Zone Observatory

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2007 | Boulder Creek CZO
2007 | Susquehanna Shale Hills CZO
2007 | Southern Sierra CZO
2009–2012 | Christina River Basin CZO
2009 | Catalina-Jemez CZO
2009 | Luquillo CZO
2014 | Calhoun CZO
2014 | Eel River CZO
2014 | Intensively Managed Landscapes (IML) CZO
2014 | Reynolds Creek CZO

### National Office

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In 2014, a National Office branch was formalized to facilitate communication and collaboration among researchers and students, support education and outreach initiatives, coordinate data protocols and common measurements, and to provide a single point of contact for the Critical Zone Observatories.

## Critical Zone Observatories worldwide

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There are 46 Critical Zone Observatories globally, with the majority in North America and Europe.[5] There are 17 CZOs in Europe, 5 in Southeast Asia, 3 near Australia, 2 CZOs in Africa, and 2 in South America.[6]

## See also

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* Earth's critical zone

## References

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1. ^ Lin H.; Hopmans J.W.; Richter D. (2011). "Interdisciplinary Sciences in a Global Network of Critical Zone Observatories". Vadose Zone Journal. 10 (3): 781–785. doi:10.2136/vzj2011.0084. S2CID 129503576.
2. ^ "NSF awards grants for four new critical zone observatories to study Earth surface processes | NSF – National Science Foundation". nsf.gov. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
3. ^ a b Anderson, S. P.; Bales, R. C.; Duffy, C. J. (2008). "Critical Zone Observatories: Building a network to advance interdisciplinary study of Earth surface processes". Mineralogical Magazine. 72 (1): 7–10. Bibcode:2008MinM...72....7A. doi:10.1180/minmag.2008.072.1.7. S2CID 128779538.
4. ^ Anderson, Suzanne Prestrud; Blanckenburg, Friedhelm von; White, Arthur F. (1 October 2007). "Physical and Chemical Controls on the Critical Zone". Elements. 3 (5): 315–319. doi:10.2113/gselements.3.5.315. ISSN 1811-5209.
5. ^ "SoilTrEC – World Critical Zone Observatories". soiltrec.eu. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
6. ^ Banwart, Steven; Menon, Manoj; Bernasconi, Stefano M.; Bloem, Jaap; Blum, Winfried E.H.; Souza, Danielle Maia de; Davidsdotir, Brynhildur; Duffy, Christopher; Lair, Georg J. (2012). "Soil processes and functions across an international network of Critical Zone Observatories: Introduction to experimental methods and initial results". Comptes Rendus Geoscience. 344 (11–12): 758–772. Bibcode:2012CRGeo.344..758B. doi:10.1016/j.crte.2012.10.007.

## External links

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* Critical Zone Network
* Critical Zone Exploration Network