Jen Pierce, Boise State Geosciences faculty, received over ½ million dollars from the National Science Foundation to examine the links among carbon, nutrients and water cycling in Dryland Ecosystems. This collaborative project integrates Critical Zone Science among scientists at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), New Mexico State University (NMSU), Boise State University (BSU), and University of Wyoming (UW). This project is also highly relevant for advancing STEAM education at all levels to a representative population of the southwestern U.S.
The overarching goal of this project is to quantify the changes of soil organic and inorganic carbon stocks in drylands with natural and anthropogenic forcings, regulated by availability of water and nutrients. As one of the largest ecosystems, drylands are fragile and sensitive to climate change, altered land use and other human activities.
