Northwest BC – This past summer, Coast Mountain College (CMTN) worked in collaboration with the University of Northern BC (UNBC), Fraser Basin Council, and Lheidli T'enneh First Nation to study the vulnerability to climate change of different forest soils from the coast to the interior. In addition to conducting research, UNBC has provided a seed grant to support the project, while CMTN’s role was to support field activities in the Terrace and Prince Rupert regions.
A team of UNBC and CMTN faculty and students installed weather stations and soil temperature sensors at selected locations throughout the study area, then collected samples to determine how the soils respond to increasing temperatures. The analyses also show the type and amount of carbon present, which indicates how quickly the soil decomposes, releasing carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
CMTN Associate of Science student Tierra Perez had the opportunity to work as a research assistant in the field, helping with all aspects of the field work including setting up and scouting for research sites, installing weather stations, digging soil pits, and collecting soil samples. She worked with a team alongside CMTN instructor Dr. Catharine White, UNBC assistant professor Dr. Diogo Spinola, and UNBC student Frank Samnani. Tierra commented that what stood out most for her was discovering how much goes on beneath the soil surface to influence what grows above it. “It was fascinating to see how unique the soil could look even just a few metres apart, especially across three different climate gradients,” she says.
Tierra says she also gained an appreciation for the effort it takes to locate research sites, with lots of bushwhacking and time spent just getting to the right place.
“Supporting
the sample collection, preparation and analysis has been a fantastic learning
experience," UNBC student Frank Samnani says. "Working on research
projects like this one allows me to build on the knowledge I've gained in the
classroom. I'm already looking forward to the upcoming field research
season."
In the coming years, the team plans to install artificial soil warming apparatuses to simulate global warming and better predict how the various soils respond. CMTN’s lab facilities will be used both as a hub for the project and a training ground for students, and publications about the project will be co-authored by CMTN faculty and students.
From left to right: CMTN Instructor Dr. Catharine White, UNBC student Frank Samnani, and CMTN student Tierra Perez install a weather station. Photo courtesy of Tierra Perez.
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Media Contact:
Heather Bastin
Executive Director, External Relations
hbastin@coastmountaincollege.ca
250-615-6511 ext. 5494