About Winter Soil Processes

We propose to elucidate the role of winter soil processes on the export of carbon and nutrients to the terrestrial ecosystem under changing climate conditions. This project will advance the predictive understanding of carbon and nutrient cycling in soils under seasonal snow and ice cover. The data and insights gained through the laboratory-controlled experimental and modeling activities will yield a better conceptual understanding of shallow subsurface biogeochemical processes and strengthen their representation in coupled biogeochemical-hydrological catchment models. Overall, the winter soil processes project will enhance our ability to evaluate the impact of different potential climatic scenarios on carbon and nutrient export and speciation along the aquatic continuum.