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Volume 1-1  Fall 2008 (science, EM News Year one in Institute, cont. on 2 FAZ Grant FAZ S PAGE 6: review— 2 is an important new player in ’s work in global warming, alternative energy, and sustainability.

rizona for the creation of rizonathe Center for ST n exciting highlight of the past grant from Science FoundationA A technology, engineering and Teachersmath) at B2 Institute. multiple comprises center This curriculum provide that components backing the with support development graduate faculty, Arizona of University of the in help teachers; master and students, scientific of development and acquisition university- classroom, the for content state-wide a experience; research level credit colleagues; of network support increased and recertification; toward center The rewards. financial and prestige February in earnest in start will activities weekend a with beginning 2009, with conjunction in organized program Days. Darwin 2’s Biosphere The B2 Institute was founded when The took over management of Biosphere 2 as “a center for research, outreach, teaching and -long learning about the Earth, B2 Institute Awarded $1.5 Million A year was the award of a $1.5 million Landscape

PAGE 4: architecture students develop visionary site plan for Biosphere 2.

Dean College of Science Joaquin Ruiz Featured

experimental test of globalchange and tree drought mortality at Biosphere 2. PAGE 3: research project—An

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Robert N. Shelton President The University of Arizona A Today S U THIS ISS e are pleased to write to you in this inaugural issue of the Biosphere 2 Biosphere the of issue inaugural this in you to write to pleased are e A gift from Foundation in Fort the Philecology Worth, newsletter. in conjunction with other grants and gifts, will fully support the Texas,

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recognizes Biosphere 2 as one of 51“fresh” summer destinations across INSID PAGE 2: We hopeWe that you all join us in this great adventure and visit and support the visionary Biosphere 2. through exciting outreach programs, and hold scientific meetings that address the grand challenges that will affect our quality of life and our understanding of our place in the universe. Our vision for the Biosphere 2 is to enhance our understanding of our environment through unique experimentation, create the interdisciplinary scientists needed to solve our present-day problems, educate our community dioxide increased in our atmosphere. Other research done within Biosphere 2 showed how the of plants changes as the amount of atmospheric CO the years that it can work on scientific problems that are incredibly difficult. For example, research done at the Biosphere 2 by researchers from predicted that the in our would suffer as carbon interactions between the biosphere, geosphere and atmosphere are so complex that it is difficult to determine what variables control what results. Biosphere 2, which was built in the early 1990s, has demonstrated through What makes Biosphere 2 unique is its size and the possibility of controlling experiments at very large scales. This is important because in nature, the University’s research. This is a unique opportunity for us because the Biosphere 2 Biosphere the because us for opportunity unique a is This research. University’s of global in ways allows us to study the complex consequences do. that no other facility in the world can W Letter from the Letter from and the Dean President the U Volume 1-1  Fall 2008 the the Kathi Borgmann Kathi S .” of variety a study researchers Arizona of University where 2, Biosphere glass-enclosed the within the into allowed been have visitors time first the mark plants, of species 150 its with garden, 3-acre tropical the of tours New lush. positively is weather the forest, rain 2’s Biosphere inside but Tucson, of north the in toast as dry as be may air “The Clark, Jayne writer travel to According Arizona. for pick its was 2 Biosphere and state, each in attraction or event new one recommended staff travel TODAY’s USA home, to close sticking be would travelers more indicated that survey summer a to response In across destinations summer “fresh” 51 of one named B2 Biosphere 2 Recognizes USA Today UA graduate students are doing research in ecology, earth and, environmental sciences. Their studies include include studies Their sciences. environmental and, earth ecology, in research doing are students graduate UA cience and and cience is positively lush.” positively is weather the forest, rain 2’s Biosphere inside but Tucson, of north desert the in toast as dry as be may air “The U S A determining if bees that inhabit small desert fragments have lower reproductive success than bees in large large in bees than success reproductive lower have fragments desert small inhabit that bees if determining fragments, examining the role of climatic variation in shaping the population dynamics of pinyon/juniper pinyon/juniper of dynamics population the shaping in variation climatic of role the examining fragments, S woodlands using dendrochronological methods, and investigating why nesting success of of success nesting why investigating and methods, dendrochronological using woodlands ociety Fellows ociety n Anna Howell Anna

Biosphere 2 Celebrates Its 1 Its Celebrates 2 Biosphere Village on the Biosphere 2 campus is is campus 2 Biosphere the on Village Student The more. much and signings; book and series lecture public successful organized residence; artist-in- first our welcomed retreats; and conferences workshops, 50 over co-sponsored and hosted we activities, of months twelve first our In expectations. highest our beyond successful been has Institute B2 the start, very the From that facilitatesinteraction. talents inanontraditionalstructure fields anddiverseinterdisciplinary rangeofscientific ofabroad expertise thecombined solutions require scientific grandchallengeswhose universe.” Itsmissionistoaddress its livingsystems,andplaceinthe 1 from cont. Institute, journey.what liesaheadandinviteyoutojoinusinthisremarkable generationsforever. future thatcansupport Weenvironment excitedabout are ourworldintoahealthysustainable isthatitwillalsotransform alike. Ourdream forallofus:scientists,teachers,students,andstaff The workistransformational Brazil. and Mexico from as UA the scientists at as well departments and colleges ten than more from scientists by B2 at 2 Biosphere Director Huxman Travis songbirds varies throughout a breeding season. season. breeding a throughout varies songbirds

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world. Research projects are currently being conducted conducted being currently are projects Research world. the around from and Arizona of University The from scientists among collaborations build to opportunity One of the most exciting aspects of our work is the the is work our of aspects exciting most the of One year. first this of highlights the of some you with share will we newsletter this in and 2, Biosphere of helm the at be to delighted am I challenges. some and successes, many learning, of lots experiences, wonderful growth, of full year a was it one-year-old, any with as And, Science. of College UA the under year first its celebrated just 2 Biosphere Stephanie McAfee Stephanie meeting participants enjoy a relaxed relaxed a enjoy participants meeting where facility ideal an be to proving Village facilities. Village totheStudent friendly improvements andenvironmentally programs, the enhancementofourexisting foundations andsisterorganizations, of collaborationswithseveral summit), thedevelopment “Sustainable CitiesoftheSouthwest” (a notableexampleisanupcoming continuously organized andhosted being andconferences programs nowinfullswing, withnew year are The B2Institute’splansforitssecond foothills. Catalina Santa the of setting spectacular the in discussions intensive and interactions close promotes that atmosphere n st n Birthday Richard Rushforth Richard n Volume 1-1  Fall 2008 n Where science . of visitors, who had the opportunity to interact with and ask questions of researchers and students. This study will provide key information for a companion field study that will take place in , where pinyon trees will be transplanted in very large soil balls to warmer temperatures and tested under less controlled (but more natural) field conditions. drought mortality at Biosphere 2 shows warmerdrought kills pinyon pines faster. An experimental test of global change and tree Pinyon pines inside the lower areaof of drought Biosphere stress 2, wereearly evident. in the experiment before signs Inside the Biosphere 2 Plant Lab, PhD studentpotential Henry and Adams how explainsthe equipment the concept at the ofleft plant is usedwater in its measurement. from their loss. In addition, this experiment was conducted along the Biosphere 2 tour route in full view (lack of ) or from a sudden breakdown in their ability to transport water to their foliage. Understanding how trees die from drought is necessary to improve predictions of tree response to global change and therefore to forecast future changes to ecosystems

nderstanding tree vulnerability to drought is important for predicting future vegetation

will help us determine whether these trees died from carbon starvation dawn and mid-day gas exchange, and diurnal stomatal conductance. We expect that an analysis of this data variables as they responded to the imposed drought, including foliar water content, water potential, pre- American Geophysical Union. During the experiment we also measured a number of physiological initial results for publication in a high-impact journal and presentation at the December meeting of the savanna, a disproportionate response of drought mortality to temperature. areWe currently preparing these the desert area (+4°C) died nearly 30 percent faster than trees in the near-ambient temperature lower in each treatment, subjecting them to a severe drought until they died. The data analysis is still underway, but the results indicate that trees in fluctuate with the seasons, saving energy costs. On February 9, 2008, we stopped irrigating half of the trees south desert area approximately 4°C warmer than the lower savanna area, while still letting the temperature of help from John Adams, Steve Littler, and the Biosphere 2 operators, we were able to set the pines inside different areas of Biosphere 2 where we could set different temperatures. With a lot there was no widespread tree death. testedWe this prior research by placing transplanted pinyon happened during a drought that was warmer than a past significant drought (in the late 1950s) where such threats. Previous research by DaveDr. Breshears and colleagues revealed that the current die-off and intense droughts. The recent widespread die-off of pinyon pine in the Southwest is an example of what this could mean for ecosystems facing The drylands of the southwest United States are facing increased temperatures and more frequent U under global environmental change. Featured Research Project Research Featured Volume 1-1  Fall 2008 The objectives of the winning design include: design winning the of objectives The 2. Biosphere for vision compelling a creating of job best the did that plan the on based team winning the selected and plans the reviewed leaders community of panel distinguished A future. the in facility the manage responsibly to used be can that technologies sustainable state-of-the-art and research cutting-edge showcasing visitors, for experience world-class a create to site the developing included Goals innovation. of history 2’s Biosphere on building in interest UA’s the reflect that plans develop to asked were Students Construction. Landscape 555 LAR of Scharf Eric by taught and Stoltz R. Ronald by directed program Architecture Landscape of Master the of part Contest, Design Student Architecture Landscape U Visionary SitePlanforBiosphere2 Landscape ArchitectureStudentsDevelop n n n n n n n Biosphere 2 campus. 2 Biosphere the with interaction after awareness and understanding new into knowledge and perceptions initial Changing events. public and education through connections community Creating communication. and collaboration for opportunities providing technologies, cutting-edge developing in specialize that businesses to attractive research and innovation of atmosphere an creating by interest economic Inviting Biospherians. original the of ideals and history the for foil complimentary a as acting while challenges grand current addresses that environment physical a Creating problems. familiar to approaches new and knowledge new for crucible a community, research interdisciplinary an of creation the encouraging scholars, world-class Attracting visits. return encourage and backgrounds and ages all of visitors attract will that experience immersive changing, continually a creating experience, visitor the Improving conflicts. functionality minimizing while groups user between interactions Increasing Friday, Oct. 24. The plans were developed for the UA’s annual annual UA’s the for developed were plans The 24. Friday,Oct. on 2 Biosphere for plans site master competing four presented students graduate architecture landscape Arizona of niversity Faculty and students from UA Master of Landscape Architecture program. Architecture Landscape of Master UA from students and Faculty sustainable technologies . . .” . . technologies sustainable state-of-the-art and research cutting-edge showcasing visitors, for experience class world- a create to site the developing included “Goals Volume 1-1  Fall 2008 Where science lives. *In1957 Lady Margaret, Countess of Suffolk, constructed a I like NASCAR racing, and I like to do re-modeling and construction projects on my home as well as other family members’ homes. And I go to the casinos once in a while! Spanish-style home, complete with pool, servants’ quarters and garage on the land that now also houses Biosphere 2. The house was known as Casa Del Oro—today it is called Suffolk House. Grand Forks, North Dakota. bringing into me talked family My here. down myself and kids my Arizona? A little over 14 years. living in ? The warmth! Where are you from originally? What drew you to Arizona? How long have you lived in What do you enjoy most about What do you like to do for fun? Hobbies?

: : : : : A: Q A: Q A: Q A: Q A: Q potlight—Dean Neevel S mployee E

still there in the old Suffolk house.* Can you share an interesting fact or story about Biosphere 2 that most people might not know? Some say the Countess of Suffolk’s ghost still roams the property! At night, sometimes people have felt she was What most intrigues or excites you about what UA will the hillslope that will be constructed in the Institute Experimental (IEB). How long have you been with B2? 14 years! do at Biosphere 2 in the years ahead? I am interested especially in seeing all the experiments, Does your work change seasonally during the year? It all depends on what management’s needs Not really. are at a particular time. For example, recently a group needed some office space on-site, and I helped refurbish one of our empty faculty office buildings for them. I’m a Maintenance Technician/Events Set-Up person. I do light construction, repairs, remodeling, light plumbing, painting. I could go on and on. Dean, what do you do at Biosphere 2?

: : : : A: Q Q A: Q A: Q A: A: Biosphere 2 Q: The winning entry, Biosphere 2.1, was designed by Lauren Barry, Angela Elam, Brent Jacobsen and Melisa Kennedy. Volume 1-1  Fall 2008 Scientists from all over the world were invited to Biosphere 2 to contribute their ideas toward the design of our new hillslope hillslope new our of water. and design the plants toward between ideas their interactions study contribute to will 2 which Biosphere to experiments, invited were world the over all from Scientists Pierre Meystre.Travis Huxman,andDr. Adams, Dr. from andTamarack left) Littleform(far right)take atour. B2personnelfrom John left: Representatives ofCongresswoman Giffords’ Gabrielle office (second Wyatt King Adams (B2), and Rick Stilgenbauer (UA Federal Relations Office). Hassan Hijazi (B2), Sen. Bee, Rep. Burns, Nate AllenTravis (B2), Dr. Huxman (B2), John Arizona State Senator Tim Bee and State Representative Jennifer Burns visit B2. From left: Year OneinReview UA Provost Meredith Hay (far left) takes a tour of Biosphere 2, led by by led 2, Biosphere of Travis tour Dr. a Huxman. takes left) (far Hay Meredith Provost UA first-hand. research our see to B2 tour Visitors sustainability. and energy, alternative warming, work global Arizona’s in in player new important an is 2 Biosphere (middle) and Soledad Zuzuárregui(middle) andSoledad (right). representatives oftheofficeAlmquist of Governor Napolitano:Kristin Janet Director ofFacilitiesB2 Assistant Adams John answers questionsfrom Volume 1-1  Fall 2008 Where science lives. In the first year under UA management, visitsroughly to 35 B2 percent increased compared by with the previousnearly year, 55,000 for visitors.a total of Over 5,000 studentsand wevisited hope to us double on field that trips number next year. waste and sludge reducer. The modification dramaticand additions improvement have inresulted water qualityin a and clarity. The had a strong algae bloom this savannapast year dropped because large the amountsflourishing of leaves intoBiosphere the water. 2 trimmed To restore the the savanna ocean, back andour installed existing bead protein filters, skimmers upgraded and plate filters, and added a weekly dose of The Biosphere 2 Ocean contains nearly oneTwenty-five million gallonsfeet at ofits salt deepest water. part, thethe ocean marine biome ecosystems is designed of beach, to simulate shallow lagoon, reef and mini-ocean. The Biosphere 2 Family the Biosphere 2 to study how global climate change affects Brazil’s Amazon . In February, the Brazilian rainforest biome at Biosphere 2 opened to the public for the first time. A $2.5 million grant from the Partnership for International Research and Education-Amazonia, (“Amazon-PIRE”) funded a project that uses Volume 1-1  Fall 2008 520. 8 Biosphere 2/ Biosphere O M of of P Developed by the the by Developed Tucson, 3 www.b2science.org 2 Biosphere involved, inanyofthefollowingways. We hope youwillconsiderbecoming thechoiceswemake. that informs and the science our environment about depends onpeoplewhocare 2’scutting-edge work Biosphere Help How YouCan 4 25 O 2. 1. racle racle arshall Building, Suite 52 Suite Building, arshall 5 N. Park Park N. 5 UA Box 210158-B Box 4 6 Thanksgiving andChristmas. 9:00to4:00except from day We openevery are Take 2. atourofBiosphere webcam. live our through research ongoing our of some see also You can dome. the under place taking projects research many the about more Learn 0 S. Biosphere Road Biosphere S. 0 /B2 /B2 2 6 A . A rizona 85 rizona 4 E rizona 85 rizona 092 xternal xternal

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two-week job! The living laboratory thorough window cleaning—nearly a In October, Biosphere 2 got a B2 between the clean and dirty sections. for photosynthesis. Note the contrast that 3,000 species of plants inside need and increasing the amount of sunlight the appearance of the stunning dome glass now sparkles, both enhancing cleaning, and the once cloudy, opaque been nearly seven years since its last plexiglass/glass laminate. It has glass is 5/8” thick and is a glass/ in place by 50 miles of glazing. The has nearly 6,500 panes of glass held 4. 3. about bird species in the the in species bird about learn You could science! in experience hands-on a for Saturday Science a Attend work. our of support and you for benefits provide that membership of levels different many are There member. a Become workingonsite. are scientistswho talk withresearch also haveachancetomeetand each ofthebiomes.You will Biospherians livedandthrough where the humanhabitatarea hour andtakeyouthrough Tours one lastapproximately W indow Cleaning indow n www.B2science.org website, our visit above, the of any on information more For 5. own home. own your in thermostat automated an installing by year each atmosphere the entering from C polluting of pounds 1,800 approximately keep can You 2. Biosphere in climate the monitor constantly to engineers six takes It S birding experience, gain a new new a gain experience, birding on-site an through Southwest matters most to you. you. to most matters that project research or activity 2 Biosphere the to designated be can and appreciated is gift Any donation. a Make environments. urban in moves water how show that demonstrations in and activities physics in participate or insects, live handling at experience and insects for appreciation ustainability Tip ustainability . . n

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