UNIS /Study II & IV

Study II & IV

Experiments with intact vegetation and soil under controlled conditions

We will place ice cores under contrasting plant communities and topsoil types, at variable moisture levels. Thaw progression is tracked under standardized conditions. 

Figure 4. Design of the laboratory setup. An inner styrofoam container containing the frozen core (b) is encased in an outer styrofoam container (a) containing ice and water. The setup of study II and IV is illustrated (c).
Figure 4. Design of the laboratory setup. An inner styrofoam container containing the frozen core (b) is encased in an outer styrofoam container (a) containing ice and water. The setup of study II and IV is illustrated (c).

Then, thaw progression can be linked to specific traits of the various topsoils and plant communities, to experimentally quantify their contribution to insulation. 

Study I & III

Study V

Study VI