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

摘要临界带的定义是从基岩顶部到树顶的地球区域。这是支持所有陆地生命的区域，并且随着岩石、土壤、水、空气和生物体的相互作用而不断演变，以调节地球的环境。该项目将建立临界区合作网络的协调中心，该网络旨在继续NSF在过去十年中支持的临界区科学的研究进展。该网络协调中心将提供网络基础设施、数据管理和社区服务，以支持关键区主题集群，这些集群是寻求有关地球表面系统功能的新的实用知识的研究合作。网络协调中心将：（1）加强和整合由促进水文科学大学联盟运营的现有数据服务。（CUAHSI）和地球化学，以支持关键区科学界;（2）通过社区综合活动和通过访问社区数据和建模网络基础设施支持科学发现;（3）通过外联和教育活动扩大关键区社区和关键区科学的影响;以及（4）通过协调、分享、该奖项反映了NSF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.