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Research Experiences for Undergraduates 2008

An NSF sponsored intitative to provide undergraduate research experience based around pine barrens ecosystems. Students will be eligible for a number of 10 week long research projects in ecology, chemistry, physiology, microbiology, molecular biology and genetics. For details of the program and application procedures see http://www.reupines.camden.rutgers.edu/

First time offering of a new summer session course at the Rutgers Pineland Field Station

 The Forest Carbon Cycle (3cr)

In this class we will examine ecosystem input/output and storage of CO2 . Exercises will include measures of biomass input through primary and secondary production, output through decomposition and respiration, and storage in above and below ground pools. The class will entail lecture and hands on laboratory and field work. In the field we will learn about micrometerological techniques (eddy covariance) to measure CO2 exchange between the atmosphere and the forest canopy, and how these measures can be extended from regional to global scales. Aboveground biomass will be measured using forest census and allometric equations and remote sensing techniques (LIDAR). We will also measure aboveground and belowground biomass production, soil carbon pools and respiration. In the laboratory we will analyze a number of different soil carbon pools such as microbial biomass, soil organic matter and dissolved organic carbon. Students will be required to keep a journal of activities. Final grade will be dependent on production of a final report.
The Course will be offered on:

July 7-11 9:00am - 4:30pm (56:120:597:Sec.D1:82989)

Contact: Dennis Gray, Phone (609) 894-8849, e-mail gray@imcs.rutgers.edu