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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 Whole Ecosystems Warming (WEW) Environmental Data Beginning August 2015

This data set provides the environmental measurements collected during the implementation of operational methods to achieve both deep soil heating (0-3 m) and whole-ecosystem warming (WEW) appropriate to the scale of tall-stature, high-carbon, boreal forest peatlands. The methods were developed to allow scientists to provide a plausible set of ecosystem warming scenarios within which immediate and longer term (one decade) responses of organisms (microbes to trees) and ecosystem functions (carbon, water and nutrient cycles) could be measured. Elevated CO2 was also incorporated to test how temperature responses may be modified by atmospheric CO2 effects on carbon cycle processes. Data through 2020 now available.

SPRUCE Plot-Level Water Table Data Assessments for Absolute Elevations and Height with Respect to Mean Hollows Beginning in 2015

This data set provides a record of the half-hourly automated water table depth data collected for 12 SPRUCE plots (4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, and 21) beginning during deep peat heating (DPH) in 2015 and continuing throughout the whole ecosystem warming (WEW) manipulations for the SPRUCE Project (Hanson et al. 2017). Also provided are plot normalized data for water table depths with respect to mean hollow locations within each plot. The hollow referenced data provide the basis for the intercomparison of peat saturation or aeration across treatment plots. A limited data set for manual water table observations in 2019 is also provided as a reference to the plot center automated observations

SPRUCE S1 Bog Production of Newly-Grown Fine Roots Assessed Using Root Ingrowth Cores in 2013

Given the ambiguity of distinguishing between living and dead roots in the anaerobic bog environment where dead tissues are highly preserved, root ingrowth cores were used to capture newly-grown fine roots during the 2013 growing season (June - October) at 20 locations at the southern end of the S1-Bog. Rates of fine root production were measured with root ingrowth cores and fine root traits were measured on roots that grew into ingrowth cores. Traits are reported by plant species and root orders and include nitrogen (N) content, root tissue density, specific root length, average diameter.

SPRUCE Vertical Profiles of CO2 and H2O Concentrations in Air in Experimental Plots Beginning in 2015

This dataset provides a record of hourly average CO₂ and H₂O concentrations in air at 4 vertical locations (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 m above ground level (agl)) on the central tower location for each of 13 SPRUCE experimental plots. Ten plots have enclosures (plots 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 19, and 20) and three plots (5, 7 and 21) are ambient locations without enclosures. Data are included for measurement periods beginning in 2015 and extend throughout the whole ecosystem warming (WEW) manipulations for the SPRUCE Project (Hanson et al. 2016, 2017).

In August 2015, WEW was initiated at 5 warming levels (+0, +2. +4.5, +6.75 and +9 °C) with 2 plots per warming level. Deep peat only heating was underway before the initiation of WEW heating treatments and both are expected to operate through 2025. Elevated CO₂ treatments were initiated within 5 experimental plots (Plots 4, 10, 11, 16 and 19) in June of 2016.

News -- links to news item

SPRUCE Site Virtual Tour (YouTube 21:30) – Produced By Kyle Pearson/ORNL SPRUCE Staff

Peatlands could become a climate feedback loop we definitely don’t want to trigger (Alexandria Herr in grist)

Болотоведы за четыре года нагрели болото и превратили его в источник парниковых газов. Russian science portal N+1 on AGU Advances paper.

Eos Editors' Highlights -- Soil Carbon May Not Remain Bogged Down in a Warmer World. A synopsis of Hanson et al. 2020 in AGU Advances.

Marcell Experimental Forest. A futuristic climate change study is nestled deep within this public land. (Posted on Atlas Obscura by Emily Sue)

Special Report: Rising Concerns (TV story on SPRUCE, ABC Duluth)

Recent Publications

Peatland warming strongly increases fine-root growth

Characterizing Peatland Microtopography Using Gradient and Microform-Based ApproachesAbstract

Rapid Net Carbon Loss From a Whole‐Ecosystem Warmed Peatland