In extreme environments, the Critical Zone is especially important as it represents the thin and potentially fragile layer at the borders of life. In particular, high mountains are hotspots of climate change, where temperatures are often rising faster in comparison to the global mean. In 2017 we established a new Critical Zone and Ecosystem Observatory in the high-altitude environment of Pian del Nivolet in the Gran Paradiso National Park, northwestern Italy, a highly-protected, closed hydrological basin between about 2500 and 2700 meters amsl. This area, usually covered with snow from November to June, is characterized by a complex environment of alpine pastures. The Pian del Nivolet area shows typical glacial and geomorphic landforms and deposits and is drained by the meandering Dora del Nivolet. The outcropping geological formations mainly consist of orto- and para-gneisses, calcschists, metabasites, marbles and dolostones. Four study plots have been selected on the basis of main geological and geomorphological features of the area. The study currently focuses on how CO2 fluxes are modulated by soils (considering temperature, humidity and TOC) and their underlyng bedrock. CO2 fluxes at the soilatmosphere interface (respiration and net ecosystem CO2 exchange) are measured by a portable accumulation chamber. Measurements have been performed during the day in light and dark conditions, in order to estimate CO2 absorption due to photosynthesis processes and CO2 emissions due to soil activity and root respiration. A total of 5 surveys, from July to October, have been carried out and 36 measurements for each plot (covering about 250 m2) have been performed during each survey. Univariate and bivariate statical analysis have been performed in order to evaluate statistical distribution, mean and variance in each sampling plot. For each dataset, statistical tests have been performed to estimate the significance of the observed variability across the plots.
The Nivolet Critical Zone Observatory: relation between carbon fluxes and geology
I BANESCHI;P MOSCA;E PALAZZI;A PROVENZALE;
2018
Abstract
In extreme environments, the Critical Zone is especially important as it represents the thin and potentially fragile layer at the borders of life. In particular, high mountains are hotspots of climate change, where temperatures are often rising faster in comparison to the global mean. In 2017 we established a new Critical Zone and Ecosystem Observatory in the high-altitude environment of Pian del Nivolet in the Gran Paradiso National Park, northwestern Italy, a highly-protected, closed hydrological basin between about 2500 and 2700 meters amsl. This area, usually covered with snow from November to June, is characterized by a complex environment of alpine pastures. The Pian del Nivolet area shows typical glacial and geomorphic landforms and deposits and is drained by the meandering Dora del Nivolet. The outcropping geological formations mainly consist of orto- and para-gneisses, calcschists, metabasites, marbles and dolostones. Four study plots have been selected on the basis of main geological and geomorphological features of the area. The study currently focuses on how CO2 fluxes are modulated by soils (considering temperature, humidity and TOC) and their underlyng bedrock. CO2 fluxes at the soilatmosphere interface (respiration and net ecosystem CO2 exchange) are measured by a portable accumulation chamber. Measurements have been performed during the day in light and dark conditions, in order to estimate CO2 absorption due to photosynthesis processes and CO2 emissions due to soil activity and root respiration. A total of 5 surveys, from July to October, have been carried out and 36 measurements for each plot (covering about 250 m2) have been performed during each survey. Univariate and bivariate statical analysis have been performed in order to evaluate statistical distribution, mean and variance in each sampling plot. For each dataset, statistical tests have been performed to estimate the significance of the observed variability across the plots.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
