Global Climate Change

A group of high school teachers will focus on the response of forest soil respiration to soil temperature and moisture using areas adjacent to trees receiving normal rainfall amounts and areas adjacent to trees that are artificially moisture stressed. Soil respiration rates will be evaluated by measuring rates of CO2 efflux from the soil surface. Measurements will be taken under a range of soil temperatures in both areas using infrared gas analysis techniques. The teachers will get hands on experience in measuring soil respiration rates, soil moisture levels and soil temperatures. They will evaluate data collected and compare their results to previously published responses of soil respiration to moisture and temperature.