mnspruce.ornl.gov

Terrestrial Laser Scanning point cloud data images of Plot 10 in July 2015 and April 2016
SPRUCE Experimental Chamber -- exterior and interior views, August 2015
SPRUCE Experiment infrastructure -- propane, CO2, and electrical systems
Aerial view of Marcell Experimental Forest, the S1 Bog, and SPRUCE experimental chambers. August 2015.
View of SPRUCE experimental chamber with supporting electrical and measurement infrastructure at left and heating system and ductwork in foreground. August 2015
Interior of SPRUCE experimental chamber showing ground-based sensors, tower, and walkways. August 2015

New Web Posts

SPRUCE Bog Surface Elevation Assessments with SET Instrument Beginning in 2013

This data set reports plot-specific bog surface elevation measurements collected with the SPRUCE Elevation Transect (SET) instrument. Measurements are reported as absolute elevation in meters above mean sea level for two locations in each of the SPRUCE experimental treatment plots and additional ambient boardwalk plots -- 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 and 21.

This data set reports measurements collected from June 2013 through August 2017, but it will be appended annually as new data are collected.

SPRUCE Deep Peat Heating (DPH) to Whole Ecosystem Warming (WEW) Metagenomes for Peat Samples Collected June 2016

This data set provides links to the results of metagenomic analyses of 44 peat samples collected on 13 June 2016 from SPRUCE experiment treatment and ambient plots. Experimental plots had received approximately 24 months of belowground warming (deep peat heating (DPH), Hanson et al. 2015) with the last 9 of those months including air warming for implementation of whole ecosystems warming (WEW – Hanson et al. 2016). Data from these metagenomes are archived in the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (DOE JGI) Integrated Microbial Genomes (IMG) system. Link: https://img.jgi.doe.gov/cgi-bin/m/main.cgi. Quick Genome Search: June2016WEW.

SPRUCE Tree Growth Assessments of Picea and Larix in S1-Bog Plots and SPRUCE Experimental Plots beginning in 2011

This data set reports tree growth measurements of mature Picea mariana and Larix laricina located in the S1-Bog permanent plots and the SPRUCE experimental study plots.

Annual data collections were initiated in February of 2011and have been continued on an annual basis during mid-winter observation periods at the end of February or early March. Data collections are anticipated to continue through February of 2025 and this data set will be appended annually.

Initial observations in 2011 included measurements of circumference at 1.3 m (diameter at breast height assessments; DBH) above the nominal bog hollow surface, tree heights and crown diameters. Subsequent annual measurements have focused on the measures of circumference at DBH. Circumference measurements to the nearest 0.1 cm are converted to DBH in cm and basal area at DBH in (cm2). Tree height and crown diameter are measured to the nearest 0.1 m.

Note that the current data set is sequestered as project-only access pending publication of data in peer reviewed publications.

SPRUCE Shrub-Layer Growth Assessments in S1-Bog Plots and SPRUCE Experimental Plots beginning in 2010

This data set reports shrub layer growth assessments for the S1-Bog on the Marcell Experimental Forest in Minnesota from 2010 through 2017. Data were obtained by destructively harvesting two 0.25 m² plots within defined plot areas of the S1-Bog or SPRUCE experimental plots. In 2015, SPRUCE plots 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 19 and 20 were enclosed in the SPRUCE enclosures. Prior to 2015 all data are for open ambient conditions. In early years a distinct hummock and a hollow sampling square were both collected, but in later years unsampled hollow areas became unavailable due to prior sampling or instrument installations.

All vegetation material above the Sphagnum surface of the bog was clipped and transferred to plastic storage bags which were then frozen until the samples could be sorted. Sorting was done by species, tissue type (leaves vs. stems) and tissue age (current-year vs. older tissues).

News -- links to news item

SPRUCE Project Visit -- blog post by Kevin Curtis, June 13, 2018

Depth matters in peat bog nutrient cycling (Eos, 99, 31 May 2018)

Seeing the Future -- Researchers experiment with climate change in a northern peatland. (Minnesota Conservation Volunteer)

OUR CHANGING PLANET -- The U.S. Global Change Research Program for Fiscal Year 2017. SPRUCE highlighted on Page 9.

UO team helps show peatlands may hold on to carbon

Indonesian TV Documentary - SPRUCE starts 3:08 (Komitmen dan Usaha dalam Menjaga Suhu Bumi - Kompas TV (26/09/16))

Recent Publications

Fine-root growth in a forested bog is seasonally dynamic, but shallowly distributed in nutrient-poor peat

Novel climates reverse carbon uptake of atmospherically dependent epiphytes: Climatic constraints on the iconic boreal forest lichen <i>Evernia mesomorpha</i>

Vertical Stratification of Peat Pore Water Dissolved Organic Matter Composition in a Peat Bog in Northern Minnesota