Achievement

Trainee Julia-Bradley Cook (Ecology) was introduced to Greenland's terrestrial ecosystems during the 2010 Field Seminar. This focused the development of her research on extensive areas of vegetation-free deflated soil patches: When did they form? Will they revegetate during climate warming? How much soil carbon was lost during their formation? Through interactions with the diversity of IGERT faculty and students she is constructing an interdisciplinary research plan that draws from earth sciences (surface age dating, soil carbon balance), ecology (vegetation distribution), and geography (GIS spatial analysis and remote sensing). A human dimensions component will likely involve partnering with and researching aspects of the Greenland Self Government carbon policy and its relationships with climate policies put forth by the Inuit Circumpolar Council. Her proposal and planned field research in 2011 are clearly shaped by the IGERT curriculum and field seminar.