Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

The response of forests to global changes is critical to the global carbon cycle. Recent studies based on observational data have shown that climate changes such as long-term decreases in water availability have led to strong negative effects on carbon sequestration of west-central boreal forests of Canada. However, whether altered water availability is the climate change driver for the observed changes in these forests remains to be tested experimentally. Moreover, the response of soil respiration, which is the second-largest terrestrial carbon flux, to climate change has not been studied in these boreal forests. To further understand the response of these forests to climate change, I have established a long-term water alteration experiment in central boreal forests, in which the responses of soil respiration to water reduction and addition will be studied, and I propose to purchase one LI-8100A-S2 Soil Gas Flux System Survey Package, soil collars, soil moisture meter, and temperature sensor device for the 27 experimental sites we have established. The proposed equipment will enable us to understand the pattern and mechanisms of soil respiration associated with altered water availability in both short- and long-terms. I expect that our research will make an important contribution to understanding the response of boreal forests to climate changes. The proposed equipment will involve training two PhD students and six undergraduate students directly.