Experts forecast a doubling of the CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere during the next century. The research team plans to simulate that increase to find out how natural ecosystems and vegetation will respond.
The Smithsonian, NASA, and the Department of Energy (DOE) are cooperating to find answers to these questions. The Smithsonian will lead the investigation with on-site assistance from KSC’s life science organization. The Department of Energy provided $1.3 million for the three-year project through a grant to the Smithsonian. One year has been spent preparing the site.
At first glance, the experiment site looks like a nature trail with a boardwalk that branches out to several small greenhouses. It’s actually a pristine scrub community located a half mile north of KSC’s Launch Complex-39. The 4-acre site is dotted with 16 open-top chambers that house the Florida scrub vegetation being studied.
The chambers, constructed of PVC and covered by a clear film of polyester, are about 12 ft. tall and 12 ft. in diameter. They have been carefully placed over a new growth of scrub that is springing back after a planned burn of the area. Twice the normal amount of CO2 will be blown into half of the chambers, through an electrically powered duct system.
Underground cameras will monitor root growth and researchers will watch soil nutrition, the growth and physiology of the plants, and the carbon and water exchange over the next two years. Results from the eight ambient or natural chambers will be compared to those of the chambers with elevated CO2.
According to Dr. Bert Drake, the Smithsonian’s principal investigator on this project, part of the experiment’s focus is to determine if an increase in CO2 will help vegetation grow in nutrient poor areas. "KSC’s nutrient deficient soil is an excellent sample for this experiment," said Drake.
"KSC’s scrub community also provides a small, woody vegetation that fits into our chambers, but has the attributes of much larger forests. This gives us the control we need and allows a broad application of the results," explained Drake.
"The study may also show that some vegetation types are more amenable to extra CO2 and that those will flourish and develop a competitive advantage over others," said Dr. Ross Hinkle, biological programs manager for Dynamac, KSC’s life science contractor.
NASA’s Biological Programs organization views the project as an opportunity to share data and expertise. "The data gathered from this study will significantly augment our knowledge base and help KSC with our environmental studies and efforts. Additionally, they are applying information we have gathered locally on a much more global scale," said Dr. Bill Knott, chief scientist, Biological Programs.
Seven other co-investigators from academic and international organizations are cooperating on this investigation. The University of South Florida, Desert Research Institute, and Duke University will contribute to the study. In addition, researchers from Australia, England, the Netherlands and South Africa are supporting the study.