Denali visitors enjoying sphagnum moss
Denali National Park Visitor Education
You may know that the National Park Service helps to educate the public about the natural history of the parks, including the geology, plants, animals and humans, using beautiful displays and engaging interpretive talks. The Park Service is at the forefront of both education and stewardship of our public lands, and understands that combatting climate change is an all-hands-on-deck situation.
National Park Service pamphlet on Climate Change
Today, the Park Service engaged the CiPEHR team to provide their expertise to teach the public about carbon balance in a heating, drying tundra.
Hands On Presentations
The CiPEHR team set up tables in the Murie Education Center to highlight different parts of their research. Michael was demonstrating how you measure thaw depth and even had a block of thawing ice-cream to model permafrost thaw!
Michael Duric showing audience how to measure depth to permafrost
Thawing ice-cream permafrost model
Emily brought water samples and showed the filtration process. She discussed the contribution of dissolved organic matter in the tundra carbon cycle.
Emily Romano Explaining water collection for DOC
Meghan fired up the methane analyzer and Marguerite showed CO2 fluxes with microbial respiration and photosynthesis.
Meghan Taylor explaining methane analyzer
I brought some mushrooms, lichen and moss that I had gathered for visitors to view under the scope and teach them a little about the interesting things that I have learned about these important organisms.
Karen Temple-Beamish explaining tundra plant community
[insert
Collected samples of moss and lichen from the field site
Some Great Questions From Our Audience;
"Will thaw depth increase through the years as a result of climate change?"
"How does the dissolved organic carbon change in response to climate change?"
"Is 'old' carbon worse for climate change?"
"Is there a lot of carbon in the permafrost?"
"Is the amount of methane released from thawing permafrost comparable to what is released from tropical or agricultural systems?"
The CiPEHR team clearly embrace their role in outreach and education! GO TEAM!
Research Team Presenting at Denali National Park
Comments