Nitrogen biogeochemistry of headwater catchments underlain by discontinuous permafrost

AUTHORS

Tamara K. Harms^1,3, Samuel T. Norlin², Jeremy B. Jones¹

1 - Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks AK

2 - Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks AK

3 - Corresponding author: Tamara K. Harms (tharms@ualaska.edu)

THE ECOLOGICAL QUESTION

What influences flux of nitrogen from catchments underlain by discontinuous permafrost?

ECOLOGICAL CONTENT

Catchment biogeochemistry, boreal forest, discontinuous permafrost, nitrogen (N)

WHAT STUDENTS DO

Students work with a large dataset describing nitrogen dynamics in the Caribou-Poker Creeks Research Watersheds, small watersheds in the boreal forest that are underlain with various extents of permafrost cover. Students use spreadsheet and graphics software to investigate responses of N cycling to permafrost, seasonal patterns, and inter-annual variation by 1) making observations concerning long (inter-annual) and short-term (seasonal) patterns in nutrient concentrations in streams, 2) hypothesizing about physical and biological conditions influencing nitrogen chemistry, and 3) testing predictions using graphical analyses. The first activity provides a guided approach to addressing a research question with the available data. Supplemental activities are inquiry-based and instructors can either specify analyses to perform or choose to allow students to gain experience with exploratory data analysis in more advanced courses.

SKILLS

Drawing observations from graphical data, hypothesizing, calculations and preparation of figures from large datasets, graphical analyses, facilitated group learning, written presentation of results

STUDENT-ACTIVE APPROACHES

Skills developed include investigating causal relationships, calculations, preparation of graphs, and interpretation of data. Communication activities include think-pair-share, class discussion, and presentation of findings with the class or in written reports.

ASSESSABLE OUTCOMES

Formative assessment via small-group and class discussion; display-quality figures; written and verbal presentation of observations, analyses, and interpretation

SOURCES

Bonanza Creek Long-Term Ecological Research Program (http://www.lter.uaf.edu/)

DOWNLOADS

• Full Article Text [doc], [pdf]



Data sets

• Student dataset (3 Microsoft Excel worksheets, organized by activity. The first, labeled “Activity 1” contains NO₃^- and DON concentrations (µmol/L), mean daily stream discharge (L/s), and DON and NO₃^- flux (g N ha^-1 d^-1) for 3 headwater catchments at CPCRW in 2007. The catchments contrast in their permafrost extent and catchment size. The second worksheet labeled “Activity 2” contains data from Activity 1 alongside precipitation data (cm). The third worksheet labeled “Activity 3” contains precipitation, discharge, and NO₃^- and DON concentrations for each catchment for 2002-2007.) [xls]
• Faculty dataset (contains the student data, amended with example graphs and calculations.) [xls]

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank contributors to the Bonanza Creek LTER program for assistance with data collection.

CITATION

Tamara K. Harms, Samuel T. Norlin, and Jeremy B. Jones. June 2011, posting date. Nitrogen biogeochemistry of headwater catchments underlain by discontinuous permafrost. Teaching Issues and Experiments in Ecology, Vol. 7: Practice #5 [online]. http://tiee.esa.org/vol/v7/issues/data_sets/harms/abstract.html