What's the Critical Zone?
The critical zone is the area that spans from the top of vegetation, like trees, through soil and below including where our groundwater is. Rocks and soil lie in the lithosphere, biological life live in the biosphere, the air beneath and surrounding the vegetation is the lowermost atmosphere, and scientists refer to the water in this system as the hydrosphere. Together, all these layers form the critical zone. It is “critical” because the interaction between these systems -- biological life, rocks, soil, water, air -- is truly crucial for how humans live and how the earth functions. There are different types of critical zones all across the globe, but for this assignment it is important that you find out more about the Shale Hills Critical Zone. |
Scientists have monitoring stations set up all across Shale Hills. On this website, you will learn more about the role of the hydrosphere in the Shale Hills Critical Zone through this monitoring equipment.
Notice two important things:
Natural processes: How natural events such as rain and wind would affect components of a critical zone.
Human effect: How people affect these parts. Specifically, how cutting down trees affects the hydrosphere and carbon cycle.
Notice two important things:
Natural processes: How natural events such as rain and wind would affect components of a critical zone.
Human effect: How people affect these parts. Specifically, how cutting down trees affects the hydrosphere and carbon cycle.