Understanding biophysical drivers of the CH4 source sink transition in Northern Forests

Total Funding: $1,655,957 (Emory: $329,238)

Meet our multi-institute collaborative team members: Woodwell Climate Research Center, lead institute: Jennifer Watts (PI), Kathleen Savage (Co-PI) Emory University: Debjani Sihi (PI) San Diego State University: Xiaofeng Xu (PI) Arizona State University: Hinsby Cadillo-Quiroz (PI) University of Maine: Shawn Fraver (PI) USDA Forest Service: David Hollinger (Collaborator)

Brief description of the project :
We will obtain multi-scale observations of soil and aboveground methane fluxes, microbial traits, and associated in-situ environmental conditions. By using a suite of in-situ and lab-based experimental observations of methane production and oxidation, stable isotopes, microbial community composition and function, we hope to improve our understanding of the mechanisms, processes, and feedbacks driving methane sink/source activity across the microsite to landscape level. These datasets, integrated with project data-enhanced M3D-DAMM and CLM-Microbe process models, will enable us to answer the key questions of what are the primary environmental and biological controls of net methane sink/source activity in a sub-boreal forest, and how do these controls vary across space and time? To further understand and quantify methane response, we employ in-situ and laboratory manipulation experiments to identify the role of functional guild activity, under changing environmental conditions, in regulating methane production/oxidation and ultimately net methane flux to and from the atmosphere. Finally, we will apply our integrated datasets and data-informed/enhanced models to identify seasonal and annual methane sink/source activity at a sub-boreal forest (Howland forest) in New England region of USA from present to 2100.

For more information, please see our project website.