Collaborative Research: Network Hub: Enabling, Supporting, and Communicating Critical Zone Research.

【摘要】临界带被粗略地定义为地球从基岩顶部到树梢顶部的区域。这是支持所有陆地生命的区域，并在岩石、土壤、水、空气和生物相互作用以调节地球环境的过程中不断进化。该项目将建立关键区域协作网络的协调中心，旨在继续NSF在过去十年中支持的关键区域科学的研究进展。网络协调中心将提供网络基础设施、数据管理和社区服务，以支持关键区域专题集群，这些集群是研究合作，追求有关地球表面系统功能的新的实用知识。网络协调中心将：(1)加强和整合由促进水文科学大学联盟（CUAHSI）和EarthChem运营的现有数据服务，以支持关键区域科学界；(2)通过社区综合活动、社区数据访问和网络基础设施建模支持科学发现；(3)通过外展和教育活动扩大临界区社区和临界区科学的影响；(4)通过协调、分享和社区活动加强关键区域专题集群之间的协作。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

ABSTRACTThe Critical Zone is loosely defined as the region of Earth from the top of the bedrock to the top of the treetops. This is the region that supports all terrestrial life and is constantly evolving as rock, soil, water, air, and living organisms interact to regulate the Earth’s environment. This project will establish the coordinating hub of the Critical-Zone Collaborative Network, which is designed to continue the research advances in the science of the Critical Zone that NSF has supported for the past decade. The Network Coordinating Hub will provide cyberinfrastructure, data management, and community services to support the Critical Zone Thematic Clusters, which are research collaboratiions pursuing new and practical knowledge concerning the functions of the Earth’s surface systems.The Network Coordinating Hub will: (1) enhance and integrate existing data services operated by the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc. (CUAHSI) and EarthChem to support the Critical-Zone science community; (2) support scientific discovery through community synthesis activities and via access to community data and modeling cyberinfrastructure; (3) broaden the Critical-Zone community and the impact of Critical-Zone science through outreach and education activities; and (4) enhance collaboration among the Critical Zone Thematic Clusters through coordination, sharing, and community events.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.