What are Critical Zone resources?

“The critical zone is where soil, rock, water, air, and living organisms all interact, which determines how many resources we are able to use,” Lin says. “The critical zone provides various services to human society.” The approach also assists with long-term management of natural resources.

Why is the critical zone important?

It is a living, breathing, constantly evolving boundary layer where rock, soil, water, air, and living organisms interact. These complex interactions regulate the natural habitat and determine the availability of life-sustaining resources, including our food production and water quality.

Why is it called the critical zone?

The Birth of a New Field Gail Ashley, a professor emerita at Rutgers University, first coined the term critical zone in a prophetically titled 1998 abstract for the Geological Society of America meeting, “Where Are We Headed?” “I called it the critical zone because it’s critical for life,” she said.

What are the components of the critical zone?

The Critical Zone is an interdisciplinary field of research exploring the interactions among the land surface, vegetation, and water bodies, and extends through the pedosphere, unsaturated vadose zone, and saturated groundwater zone.

What is the science of the critical zone?

Understanding the complex web of physical, chemical, and biological processes of the Critical Zone requires a systems approach across a broad array of sciences: hydrology, geology, soil science, biology, ecology, geochemistry, geomorphology, and more.

Where are the critical zone reservoirs in South Carolina?

In 2013, four new observatories were 246 Calhoun CZO in northern South Carolina. Measurements at 250 of the major critical zone reservoirs. The CZOs have recog- 254 are made using the same or readily comparable methods. In 256 level research and outreach activities.

Why is bedrock important in the critical zone?

While is generally true, bedrock weathering can also be very important for groundwater chemistry and the production of soils. The Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory conducted a study with others that showed that bedrock weathering is happening as deep as 23 feet below the surface 2.

Is the European Commission funding Critical Zone research?

In 256 level research and outreach activities. 258 critical zone research globally. Although some observatories 264 et al. 2015; Richter and Billings 2015 ). International CZOs 267 and each program has its own approach and strategy. The 268 European Commission funded SoilTrEC in 2009.