Towards a strategy for Critical Zone science in Canada

Abstract

Key Messages The Critical Zone is an emerging interdisciplinary theme in the environmental sciences. The Critical Zone Observatories program in the United States has allowed for tremendous research successes. We urge physical geographers in Canada to pursue national leadership and a strategy for connecting to international developments in Critical Zone science.

Geophysical applications across the US Critical Zone Observatories (CZO) and future CZOs for the pan‐Canadian EON‐ROSE research initiative

“…The Critical Zone (CZ; as first defined by the National Research Council 2001) is the Earth's living skin, extending from the top of the tree canopy to the base of the deepest weathering and aquifers. Collaborations between geoscientists, ecologists, social scientists and others is critical for designing research approaches to address issues critical for humanity, such as: erosion and landscape evolution, water supply and quality, and nutrient cycles (Martin and Johnson 2017) . This paper will describe the applications of some geophysical approaches to CZ studies across the US CZOs and other ecosystems ( Fig.…”