understanding the earth as a system
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Understanding the Earth as a System. Earth As A System Phenomena span a range of space and time scales space scale time scale lightning: a few km’s fractions of a second tornadoes’ paths: a few 10’s of km minutes major floods: 100’s of km days - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Understanding the Earth as a System
Earth As A System Phenomena span a range of space and time scales
space scale time scale
lightning: a few km’s fractions of a second
tornadoes’ paths: a few 10’s of km minutes
major floods: 100’s of km days weather systems: ~1000 km a few
weeks ozone holes: ~2000 km a month ocean circulation: 1000’s of km years atmospheric composition: global decades
Earth System Connections Phenomena on all scales are connected together
some volcanic eruptions alter the atmosphere globally for years
El Nino in the tropical Pacific affects weather for months, even in the United States
passage of a weather system can spawn tornadoes which cut a swath through a forest triggering the process of forest succession
These and other connections are fundamental to the Earth system.
Earth System Measurements in GLOBE
GLOBE students measure components of the Earth system and its cycles Energy: temperatures of air, water, and soil; clouds; transparency
Water: precipitation; soil moisture, infiltration, and bulk density; land cover
Biogeochemicals: pH of precipitation, water, and soil; soil characterization; water chemistry; land cover and biology
Categories of Measurement Protocols
BasicAdvancedOptionalSpecial
Basic ProtocolsAtmosphere
Cloud TemperaturePrecipitation
HydrologyTransparencyTemperaturepHConductivitySalinity
PhenologyGreen-UpGreen-down
SoilField Characterization Bulk DensitypH TemperatureGravimetric Moisture
Land CoverMUCQualitative Land Cover SamplingQuantitative Land Cover SamplingManual Mapping
Special Protocols
PhenologyBudburstLilacsSnow Pack Water EquivalentFire Ecology (under development)
“GLOBE Study Site”15 km x 15 km
Hydrology Site
School
Atmosphere Site
Biology Site
Qual/Quan Land Cover Sites
SoilMoistureSite
The “GLOBE Study Site, 15 x 15 km (512 x 512 pixels) centered on the school, contains the various study sites for atmosphere, soils, hydrology and biometry/land cover.
Schools may select measurement sites outside of this 15 x 15 km areas, and separate imaging can be provided.
Soil Characterization
Using data to understand the Earth System
March
May
Normalized DifferenceVegetation Index, 1987
Solar Energy
Average Temperature
April 1987
Cloud Cover
Precipitation
September 1987
Spheres of the Earth System
BiosphereAtmosphereLithosphere (Geosphere)HydrosphereCryosphereAnthroposphere
Three principles* helpful ways to think about the Earth system
Help us understand essentially all environmental issues.
When we confront an environmental issue, we can first explore the roles of matter, energy and living organisms.
From Dr. Art’s Guide to the Planet Earthhttp://www.planetguide.net/book/chapter_1/three_principles.html
Principle #1
Matter Cycles
Each of the elements that is vital for life exists on Earth in a closed loop of cyclical changes. From a systems point of view, Earth is essentially a closed system with respect to matter.
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The Rock Cycle
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Matter in the Universe Cycles
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The Periodic Table of the Elements what it's all made of....
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"In the history of the Earth, everything that has existed has been made out of the same atoms... the atoms in my body could once have been parts of rock, air, or dinosaurs."
Principle #2
Energy Flows Earth’s energy budget
The functioning of our planet relies on a constant input of energy from the sun. This energy leaves Earth in the form of heat flowing to outer space. From a systems point of view, Earth is an open system with respect to energy.
Energy flows…
Principle #3
Life webs
A vast and intricate network of relationships connects all Earth's organisms with each other and with the cycles of matter and the flows of energy. From a systems point of view, Earth is a networked system with respect to life.
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Understanding the Earth as a System
Matter cycles
Energy flows
Life webs
The Anthrosphere
the human dimension of Earth Systems Science
As human technology becomes more evolved, so do the impacts of human activities on the environment.
“The Earth is a system. No part works without the other parts.
The parts are all connected." - Martin
Jeffries, Arctic Ice Scientist
Earth System Cycles The cycling of energy, water, and certain chemical
elements ties the system together Energy from the Sun enters the top of the atmosphere; some is reflected back to space while the rest powers the Earth system
Water evaporates from the surface, condenses or freezes, falls back to the surface, runs-off or sinks into the soil, flows to aquifers, rivers, the oceans
The chemical elements C, N, P, and S cycle among living organisms, the atmosphere, sediments, soils, and water bodies