WS M 696Q/ HWR 696Q Practical and Applied Hydrometeorology This course is driven by the initiative and interest of the course members, on the basis of group decisions. Typically, the group meets once a week for three hours in a session that comprises a seminar and discussion led by one of the students, followed by a practical activity related to site development and site documentation. Field activity at the Biosphere 2 Research Facility is built into the schedule as appropriate. Field activities are in place of and/or additional to seminar/discussion activity described above. The research goal is to document and investigate controls of vegetation on water, carbon and energy cycling as measured using eddy covariance and other micrometeorological techniques. The class will itself decide what research it will undertake in consultation with the instructor and other participating UA scientists involved with Biosphere 2 and NEON (National Ecological Observatory Network). Practical considerations mean the class size will necessarily be limited, so early registration is advised. This class can be taken for 1 – 3 credits, but a 3-credit commitment is preferred Currently Offered: Spring 2008, Fridays 9am - 12 pm Classroom: Marshall Building Room 531 Instructor: Dr. Shirley A. Kurc Faculty Participants: Dr. Jim Shuttleworth (HWR, SAHRA), Dr. Travis Huxman (EEB, B2) Contact: kurc@ag.arizona.edu or 520.621.3803 Prerequisites: An inquiring mind. Enthusiasm to learn about the practical aspects of eddy covariance techniques and other associated micrometeorological equipment. A willingness to participate in related field activities Syllabus: Syllabus for Spring 2008 Course Flyer: Flyer for Spring 2008 Course Henry Adams and Andy Neal, Biosphere 2 The Class installed two eddy covariance towers on the lawn of Biosphere 2. The Class hopes to help inform Biosphere 2 about the practicality of their watering practices. Photo by Shirley A. Kurc Michelle Cavanaugh, Biosphere 2 The Class also installed associated micrometeorological instruments such as an NR-Lite radiometer, soil heat flux plates, etc... Photo by Shirley A. Kurc Seshadri Rajagopal, Biosphere 2 The Class is taking grid point measurements of salinity, soil moisture, and "irrigation" every 3 weeks to go along with their eddy covariance measurements. Photo by Shirley A. Kurc