This facility has been selected through national peer competition as one of a network of 25 sites best suited for global change ecological research in the United States. These are research centers in the United States with site characteristics, facilities, staff, and long-term research results which make them ideal for ecological aspects of global change research. Long-term measurements at permanent stations and comparative regional studies are used to detect change and extrapolate local site data to the regional level. Experimental approaches are often used to test for effects of projected change. For example, chambers are enriched with carbon dioxide continuously to examine direct physiological and ecological effects.
New technology is tested and adapted to ecological research needs.
For example, a tuneable infrared diode laser is being used to continuously measure turbulent exchange rates between mature hardwood forest canopies ad the atmosphere. For example, UVB spectral radiometers designed for continuous, high precision monitoring of spectral data under ambient conditions. A new in situ ozone monitoring instrument is now under development for use in the forest exchange studies.