Dear Colleagues:
We are at a moment in the HBES we need to prioritize synthesis of our long-term dataset. This will help us, both to move our understanding forward—essentially to let our thinking catch up to our immense dataset—and to prepare us to write
the next LTER proposal. As we work on these synthesis projects, we are able to answer many questions and also to identify gaps in data and research that will allow us to prioritize projects and directions for the LTER proposal and beyond.
I am writing to invite you to contribute to the January COS discussion “How big is the available N pool at HB?”
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The idea is to use various datasets to try to address this question—with numbers.
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For the moment, we will be fairly loose about what we mean by the available N pool—that is, you can define it as you wish—and as is appropriate for your data—but it needs to be clearly defined. For example, you might consider that plant available N pool,
you might consider the available N pool in the mineral soil (as long as it is clear what is meant by available), or the available N pool in the rooting zone.
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Another issue is the timescale—in general, I am thinking on the order of an annual timescale. But some datasets may utilize a different time scale—an event or disturbance, for example, or a short timescale more related to microbial production of N than
to soil development.
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We can approach this problem from many perspectives—plant responses, soil N cycling assessment, streamwater flux patterns etc.
I would like to get as many perspectives on the table as possible, so please let me know if you have something to contribute. So far, the following people are planning to present.
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Colin Fuss
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Christy Goodale
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Mark Green
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Brian Strahm’s group
Please let me know by Wed, 18 November if you might have something to share.
Thanks,
Linda
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