We have removed the snow from the study sites, removed the snow fences and organized our equipment. Today we rolled out some of the instruments that will be needed to collect the data this summer. As the tundra continues to change around us, our study site began to take on a different look also. We started out with plots and a few bases and probes this morning and by lunch we had installed the Summer Warming Chambers (SWC) and the CO2 Flux Chambers.
This is Site B before the chambers were installed.
The SWCs are plexiglas boxes that are open on the top and bottom. They warm up the plots just a little by letting the sun in and then trapping some of the heat. Kind of like a greenhouse, but without a roof. We will watch how the plants grow in these areas as the summer develops.
Dr. Natali is installing a SWC at Site B.
The CO2 Flux Chambers are a bit busier. These are also plexiglas boxes without a bottom. However they do have two doors on the top that can open and close. There are "arms" that will work the doors during the experiment. The doors will be open until the sample is taken. Every hour and a half the doors close for one and a half minutes while the instruments take a small amount of air in to small tubes connected to the box. The air will be analyzed to see how much carbon dioxide it contains. During the daytime the chamber detects decreases in CO2 because of the photosynthesis being carried on by the plants. At night the chamber measures an increase in the CO2 levels due to the respiration in the ground. At the end of a day or a month or a year, the data can be added up and a "carbon balance' can be figured to see if more carbon is being released or absorbed. With a little luck and some testing of the lines tomorrow, we should be able to begin taking measurements very soon!
Mr. Wood helped to connect the CO2 Flux Chambers to the instruments.
The CO2 Flux Chamber has to be connected to the instruments.
Of course while we were busy working, a lone caribou came wondering around our site. We had seen some in the distance a few days ago, but this one seemed to be curious enough to come a little closer. The caribou kept its distance every time we showed some interest. We will see more soon!
A curious caribou came looking around Site C.
Alaskan Caribou