CESD scientists are transforming our understanding of how carbon cycles between the atmosphere, plants, and soils across diverse ecosystems. Improving scientific knowledge of terrestrial ecosystem functioning will allow us to develop transformational strategies to protect and enhance the ability of these Earth systems to sequester carbon.
Our researchers focus on using experimental observations and measurements to understand changes to the carbon cycle and inform societal goals for weather prediction, food production, and carbon sequestration. With accurate calculations, scientists and policy makers are in a far better position to evaluate, for example, the ability of tropical forests to sequester carbon now and in the future. By advancing the science of the carbon sink, we will broaden environmental protection strategies to guide society on the path to a resilient future.
Recent Publications
Our experts are monitoring how movement along the San Andreas Fault–one of the world’s largest active faults, running roughly 750 miles along the length of California–impacts underground rock in the area. This research has implications for fields like geothermal power generation, oil and gas extraction, and underground CO2 storage.
