VOLUME 1-6 1 SPRING 2011 n High School NEWS

PAGE 11: Students Conduct Research Inside Biosphere 2.

Biosphere 2

eter Smith, professor of lunar and planetary sciences, and and sciences, planetary and lunar of professor Smith, eter Biosphere at affairs external of director Hijazi, Hassan after Oman of Sultanate the from returned recently 2, His Excellency Ali Al-Abri, Undersecretarymembers of Water of theResources Regional Affairs Municipalities and and Water Resources. Smith’s second visit to Oman; during his first visit last year, he he year, last visit first his during Oman; to visit second Smith’s Museum, Baranda Al Bait at exhibit MARS UA a visit the prepared During visitors. of hundreds with popular was villages of which number a visited Hijazi and Smith 2011, January irrigation in oldest the is which System, Falaj the falaj A explore to Sultanate. the in and region the in system springs or engineering groundwater taps that channel sloping gently religious a is domestic, for villages the to water brought has and years. 2,000 than more for use agricultural and collaborations international the towards step first exhibit The an is Oman and Arizona of University the The 2. between Biosphere at winter next open will that program System, and Falaj the of components key replicate will Oman’s on exhibit seminars and lectures by accompanied be the as will and well as management, and infrastructure and water falaj, historic the of components cultural and social rooted deeply Arizona. of University the to connection the Water & Astronomy Collaborations with Oman Underway P government Omani the from invitation personal a Arizona of receiving University the between collaborations was explore This to astronomy. and water of fields the in Oman and PAGE 10: Unveils New OmniGlobe Exhibit. UA Outreach: PAGE 7: Sense of Place Institutes Cross-Programming in the College of Science. or the past three and one- half years, we have worked diligently to evaluate how we ways to optimize the strengths and skills of our current faculty and staff and align those with the resources that exist through UA Science. I manage and utilize the apparatus that is Biosphere 2 (B2) and to streamline operations to take us to a higher and more productive level of doing science. This included finding F

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Landscape

this exciting new business model for their hard work, commitment, support and for taking Biosphere 2 to better and better places. associated with UA Science. I want to thank all of the faculty and staff involved in relations, and economic development opportunities in the region. Other recent changes include new management of facilities, staff and operations at B2 as well as the expansion of our educational programs and outreach efforts We areWe also working closely with the College of Science to strengthen our business development, community of business and finance, Rhonda Dwyer, who is working hard to effect the changes needed to create a successful and thriving center for business operations. and SAHRA. One of the many critical functions of this office will be to serve as the administrative hub for all grants processing associated with these diverse units. To oversee this new office, we hired a fantastic new manager centralized business office that will oversee and coordinate the complex business functions for several units within UA Science, including Biosphere 2, UA Science: Flandrau, and outreach associated with environmental research. One recent and prominent change was the formation of a am pleased to announce that we are unfolding a strategic business model that uses a community-based approach and situates Biosphere 2 at the nexus of collaborative research Message from the Director Message Evolution Observatory (LEO) at Critical Step Toward Renovation. INSIDE THIS ISSUE PAGE 2: Travis Huxman, Director, Biosphere 2 & UA Science: Flandrau VOLUME 1-6 2 SPRING 2011 at the quarry. The interdisciplinary interdisciplinary The quarry. the at grinder plate a using distribution grain-size specific a to ground is It Arizona. Flagstaff, from ash) (coarse tephra volcanic a is project LEO the in used be to soil The soil. the in buried sensors the by collected data real-time view to visitors allow will that unveiled be will display interactive new a as soon, change will that But engineers. computer by development under systems acquisition data and programming the with made progress the been has public the to visible Less system. rain artificial an from soils various to applied is water as rainstorms indoor observe to able are Visitors project. larger the for instrumentation optimal the select to order in sensors environmental of range wide a test to 2 Biosphere at scientists allowed has box this structures, full the of scale 1:15 a at built box soil a of Consisting soon. begin to scheduled is and landscapes, artificial pound two-million three of construction the involves project full The (LEO). Observatory Evolution Landscape constructed soon-to-be the of design the finalize us helping are R Renovation TowardStep Major Critical a is Prototype "Mini-LEO" Featured Research Research technician Brendan Murphy prepares prepares Murphy Brendan technician Research testing in the “mini-LEO” apparatus. “mini-LEO” the in testing hydrologic for material soil project LEO potential prototype experiments that that experiments prototype observe to able been have 2 Biosphere to visitors ecently, considerations of this project project this of considerations While data from these sensors offers offers sensors these from data While box. test the outside and inside located sensors 30 using performed is interactions soil-water these of Analysis landscapes. LEO the for necessary criteria the to closer much characteristics soil produced has compaction machine and soils finer but quickly, very them through flow to water allowing coarse, too proved soils Early compaction. of degrees different with soils various in interactions soil-water observe to scientists enabled has box soil scaled LEO” “mini the soil; of grind the of selection careful require View of the LEO project space at Biosphere 2. Biosphere at space project LEO the of View Dean NeevelandBrendan MurphyprepareDean to lower avibrating-plate compactor into the“mini-LEO”. critical to future success! success! future to critical is scale smaller a at science our do can we ensuring but landscapes, project LEO final the from, flow will that data of amount huge and of, size physical the to comparison in pale will activities these of All data. LEO view time, real in can, world the around from scientists that so data archive and process collect, to us allow will that infrastructure cyber- robust a design to system prototype this used successfully have engineers Computer experiment. larger the in place in be will that thousands the of fraction a only represent sensors the insight, great n VOLUME 1-6 3 SPRING 2011 n Where science lives. shorter time scales under warmer conditions. The findings of these experiments will provide valuable input to ongoing modeling studies and to the design of large-scale field experiments in the future. communities under moisture stress conditions, simulating a global change-type drought. Biosphere 2 enables the researchers to undertake extensive manipulative experiments by eliminating many of the confounding factors that make such experiments challenging under field conditions. Preliminary findings indicate that the predicted warming scenarios may enhance the obliteration of desert landscapes by exotic grasses. The invasive grasses can perform better and out-compete native grasses more efficiently in a warmer environment. However, scenarios involving a combination of drought and warming may prove fatal to both native and invasive grasses, with drought-induced grass mortality occurring at much mini-rhizotron camera system. B2 research technicians Ashley Weide and Maggie Heard taking pictures of the grass roots using a and mortality of these plant in these changing environmental conditions. For the past eight months, the research group has been monitoring the physiological (photosynthesis, respiration, water- use) responses of both above- and below-ground tissues of native and invasive grass communities by using leaf gas-exchange analyzers and root observation cameras (‘mini-rhizotrons’). Further, they are monitoring the physiological responses, resource use patterns, simulate future warming scenarios, the ongoing interdisciplinary research project involves scientists from the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2, the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, and the Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences. They are investigating the impact of droughts and rising temperatures on native and invasive grass communities and how these communities partition resources (soil moisture, nutrients) on this invasion process. Using the Biosphere 2 as an adaptive tool to control experimental parameters and any arid regions around the world—including the North American deserts—

photosynthesis system. Assistant research professor Sujith Ravi measuring respiration of drought-stressed plants using a LICOR-6400 Portable buffel grass invasion and the impact of future climate-change scenarios At Biosphere 2, assistant research professor Sujith Ravi is investigating the ecohydrological implications of recurrent droughts is fundamental to sustainable management of these ecosystems as the climate changes. shifts (e.g. buffel grass invasion in the Sonoran desert) in the context of rising temperatures and food security and environmental quality. Thus, understanding the ecohydrological processes accompanying these vegetation droughts, which may accelerate land degradation or desertification processes, having direct impacts on the cycling of water and carbon. Further, climate models predict future warming and recurring invasion of exotic grasses. These vegetation changes in turn alter ecosystem processes, in particular M are experiencing rapid vegetation transformations caused by the Grass Invasion, Climate Change and Desertification Linked VOLUME 1-6 4 SPRING 2011 inside the instrument container. Right: Collecting snapshot samples high above the Amazon forest canopy. forest Amazon the above high samples snapshot Collecting Right: container. instrument the inside 1: Figure to begin fruit ripening among species species among ripening fruit begin to time is it when indicating insects, for sources food signaling by inhabitants ecosystem for maps chemical as act They grass. cut freshly of smell the or flowers blooming of perfume the as such aromas, distinct landscapes different give VOCs floods. or droughts and attacks insect like stresses environmental during and senescence, development, maintenance, growth, reproduction, metabolism, energy and carbon during produced are VOCs plants, In chemistry. atmospheric fueling by ozone tropospheric influence and rain, of production the for clouds seed aerosols, form can VOCs atmosphere, the In functioning. ecosystem in importance their highlighted has 2 Biosphere at progress recent in, involved are they reactions chemical of myriad the to due climate and quality air in roles fundamental play they that known is it While lower). and trillion per parts to billion per (parts CO2 than lower magnitude of orders several concentrations with atmosphere, V Research Uncovers New Organic Compounds Released by Plants by Released Compounds Organic New Uncovers Research in trace quantities in the the in quantities trace in exist that gases are (VOCs) compounds organic olatile BrasilianAir 2010 campaign. Left: Setting the six ambient air inlets on the tower. Center: Watching the first ambient air samples from the inlets inlets the from samples air ambient first the Watching Center: tower. the on inlets air ambient six the Setting Left: campaign. 2010 BrasilianAir high temperatures; they also may may also they temperatures; high at metabolism during oxidation from plants protecting and trees, of identification and quantification quantification and identification allowing instrumentation sensitive highly of aid the with atmosphere Earth’s in VOCs about know we what changing actively are we Jardine, Kolby by led Lab, Gas Trace Center’s 2 Biosphere the In experiments. laboratory controlled highly from comes them about know we what of much air; ambient in study to elusive remained have VOCs atmosphere, the in concentrations low very their to Due change. environmental to responses large-scale orchestrate plants help scales inside Biosphere 2 and in natural desert and and ecosystems.” desert tropical natural in and 2 Biosphere inside large at scales VOCs of quantification and allowing identification instrumentation sensitive highly of the aid with atmosphere Earth’s in VOCs about we know what changing actively are we Jardine, by led Kolby Lab, Gas Trace Center’s 2 Biosphere the “In our studies aim to assist in the the in assist to aim studies our conditions; environmental changing under scales ecosystem whole to level leaf the from VOCs of uptake and production natural witness us lets tools of combination powerful This ecosystems. tropical and desert natural in and 2 Biosphere inside scales large at VOCs of previously unknown to be produced produced be to unknown previously VOCs many revealed survey The species. vegetation rainforest native of variety a from (TRF) biome rainforest tropical B2 the within VOCs of survey a conducted Lab Gas Trace the 2010, fall Throughout change. climate global to response ecosystem of predictions accurate VOLUME 1-6 5 SPRING 2011 (Figure n we are able to pinpoint and add to the mixture Where science lives. Throughout the BrasilianAir Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia) in Manaus and USPE (Universidade de Sâo Paulo) in Sao Paulo, Brazil to train future atmospheric chemists and plant physiologists and to build global collaborations between the United States and Brazil. inlet heights ranging from the soil level to above the tree canopy (Figure 1), fine-scale sources and sinks of these VOCs. areWe learning that some VOCs have distinct sources: some come directly from the atmosphere above the canopies from biomass- burning pollution and are cleaned by the forest; other VOCs are generated within the trees or soils (Figure 2) of organic gases in the troposphere. Despite the geographic separation between Arizona and the Amazon, the VOCs of the B2 TRF are representative of those seen in the Amazonian rainforest 3). campaign, we are partnering with the PIRE program (Amazon- Partnerships for International Research and Education) as well as with the Brazilian institutes of INPA (National Institute for Research in the Amazon) and LBA (Large Scale energy fluxes: the Amazon. Starting in August 2010, the BrasilianAir field campaign began collecting measurements at a remote field site in the Brazilian Amazon aimed at characterizing the vertical VOC sources and sinks within and above a primary rainforest canopy. This timeframe was chosen to correspond to the transition from the wet to dry seasons in the Amazon, which is central to changes in plant functioning and environmental variables. Using the techniques developed during the TRF survey at Biosphere 2, we are able to capture VOCs already known to play fundamental roles in natural ecosystems as well as verify the existence of many new VOCs postulated to exist from Biosphere 2 studies, but never measured in ambient conditions. By continuously measuring at six field campaign to study ambient air VOCs in the largest continuous tropical rainforest on Earth, and possibly the most globally important ecosystem for carbon, water, and be removed from the atmosphere by vegetation? beginTo addressing these questions, a Biosphere 2 research team is currently conducting a three-month We detect differences in the native species in the B2 TRF biome and theAmazon forest, Concentration of gradients of the VOC isoprene in BrasilianAir 2010. Vertical axis: inlet however we see similar novel VOCs in bothinlets environments. in the B2 Left: TRF Robertbiome. Right:Arrington An Amazonchecks nativeon the checksgas the gas inlets in Brazil. Figure 3: temperatures are highest) and a sudden dropecosystem in concentrations photosynthesis. during a rain event that limited Figure 2: height; horizontal axis: time; color map:sources low (blue) within to the high canopy (red/black) (11 to 30 concentrations. meters) as well We seeas cleardistinct diurnal patters (peaks at noon when into the atmosphere, or can they also scale, and how will their behaviors impact air quality and climate? Are VOCs only emitted by ecosystems environmental conditions elicit these VOC emissions? What role do these VOC emissions play at the ecosystem by natural systems. These discoveries gave rise to questions such as: Do natural rainforest systems exhibit similar VOC behaviors? What VOLUME 1-6 6 SPRING 2011 Hold Your Next Meeting at Biosphere 2 Biosphere at Meeting Hold YourNext us to create a better resource forthe abetterresource us tocreate allowed “The technology overhaul coordinator. 2’sITsupport Biosphere computer lab,”saidJoseph Martinez, toupgrade the about theopportunity excited of usedcomputers,wewere hadasurplus the UofAmainlibrary the year. that “Whenwediscovered centerusersthroughout conference and awholehostofresearch supports computer laboratory. Thelab unveiled thefacility’snewlyrevamped 2 atBiosphere technology staff of2011,theinformation In March conferences. aone-of-a-kindvenuefor provide and programs, exciting outreach educate ourcommunitythrough problems, to solveourpresent-day scientistsneeded interdisciplinary unique experimentation,trainthe through of ourenvironment is toenhancetheunderstanding Center 2Conference the Biosphere The UniversityofArizona’svisionfor its breathtaking conference facility! like you to hold your next meeting at B and outreach specialists at Biosphere LEO scientists and UA education biology department, is working with student in the ecology and evolutionary change. Marielle Smith, a graduate water resources in Arizona, and climate links between the terrestrial water cycle, arizona.edu Zone Observatory project ( University of Arizona-based Critical research goals of LEO and the related the key scientific concepts and These displays will help to communicate directly affect the lives of our visitors. ultimately relates to water resources that project, and how science at Biosphere 2 (Landscape Evolution Observatory) outreach exhibits that explain the LEO B Funding Receive Exhibits and Outreach Science Zone Critical and Resource Water Program (WSP) to produce the UA Water Sustainability iosphere 2 received a grant from world by the 50 must-see wonders of the iosphere 2, recently named one of ) and in particular, the Time Life Books, www.czo. would used for meals and receptions. and meals for used patio scenic a as well as room computer revamped newly the including Center Conference the by used rooms meeting several houses Center Planning The sunset. at Center Planning 2 Biosphere the of View innovative and interactive exhibits. The 2 and Flandrau to produce a series of Conference Center is surrounded Centerissurrounded Conference of Tucson,Mountains, north the the foothillsof theSantaCatalina events andbanquets.Nestled in exhibitions,special presentations, small-scale meetings,multimedia center isavailableforbothlarge and The technologyinfusedconference training facility.” acomputer-based allowing ustooffer 2, eventsatBiosphere conference for This willopennewopportunities centerguests. andconference staff more effectively achieve its mission of This grant allows Biosphere 2 to be taken to schools. commission outreach materials that can The WSP grant will also be used to to plants and back to the atmosphere). as the journey of water from rain to soil way down to the molecular level (such LEO project, but our science all the animations that explain not only the producing entertaining and innovative children. We are also working towards experiments, and puzzles and games for of real-time data from the LEO with LEO and CZO scientists, displays landscapes, videos showing interviews hands-on, interactive physical models of a water resources exhibit, a series of displays at Biosphere 2 may consist of [email protected] webpage at efforts will be visible on the project the spring of 2011. Some of these designed and will be installed through The exhibits are currently being landscapes change as climate changes. flow through landscapes, and how cycle, how water, energy and carbon understanding of the terrestrial water of this project can increase public motivation, methods and results human habitat, and interpreting the is visible from both floors of the at Biosphere 2. This huge renovation to new, large-scale scientific endeavors University of Arizona’s commitment a more tangible understanding of the annual visitors to Biosphere 2 will have As we construct the LEO, the 100,000 communicating research to the public. or 520.838.6154. 520.838.6154. or at Kelly Val Coordinator Center Program pleasecontact theConference retreat To or schedule yournextconference casitas. bedroom three-to-five facility of28furnished housing amodern is the“Village,” Center 2Conference the Biosphere of 2.Attheheart well asinBiosphere buildingsas exhibits insurrounding andspacesfor rooms by breakout [email protected] leo.b2science.org ). n n

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VOLUME 1-6 7 SPRING 2011 continued on 8 Where science lives. A Manzo Elementary fifth grader examiningrock a for crystals at Tumamoc. sandstone, rather than in limestone, limestone, in than rather sandstone, marine in forms limestone because a at looked We oceans. as such waters dinosaur, Sonorasaurus a from cast leg the in found Brachiosaur of type new a other many and Mountains, Whetstone bones. dinosaur Tumamoc Hill and where they formed. formed. they where and Hill Tumamoc break to handy in came hammers Rock the examine to rocks weathered apart given when blast a had kids The inside. found We apart! rocks break to license what is which rocks, volcanic of plenty find. we’d thought we learned we classroom, the in Back igneous only not study geologists how rocks. sedimentary also but rocks, distinguish to learned Students limestone and sandstone between which see to acid hydrochloric using to reacted Limestone “fizzed.” rock samples those of some on and acid, the and creatures of fossils see could we ocean. the in lived that plants dinosaur that discovered then Students in found be to likely more were bones types of igneous rocks are found at at found are rocks igneous of types rocks that cool quickly above Earth’s Earth’s above quickly cool that rocks allow to quickly too surface—often two examined We form. to crystals rocks: igneous of types different could students so granite, and pumice below formed rocks which out figure chamber magma the in surface the as surface the on formed which and rocks. volcanic field amateur became then Students at rocks the studied and geologists and hammers rock using Hill Tumamoc what determine goal: The lenses. hand scissors to create shallow and steep steep and shallow create to scissors determine to able were students angles, than (rather fault shallow-angle a that Tumamoc caused fault) steep-angle a from miles 20 least at move to Hill Santa the over location original its Mountains. Catalina rocks, igneous studied students The between distinguish to learning beneath slowly cool that rocks intrusive crystals (allowing surface Earth’s the volcanic or extrusive and form) to Using construction paper, a ruler, and and ruler, a paper, construction Using

o take advantage of the interesto take advantage geology generated in all things gem and annual by Tucson’s

Mountains; this extensional fault Basin. action formed the Tucson the earth’s surface caused Tumamoc Mountains to Hill and the Tucson very slowly (geologically speaking) slide off the Santa Catalina Catalina Mountains, which were at that time deeply buried and a magma a fault in Some time later, chamber. the rest of the Tucson Mountains the rest of the Tucson were a volcano that was located once on top of what is now the Santa at the University of Arizona taught at the University of the classes. Hill and learned that Tumamoc We from Empire High School in Vail from Empire High School in Vail Jessica Kapp, a participated. Dr. lecturer department in the geosciences month. Over 70 schoolchildren in third and fourthfrom grade Manzo Elementary and 25 juniors School mineral show in February, our K-12 in February, mineral show Citizen-Science program offered geology classes throughout the T UA Outreach UA Tumamoc Hill Goes Geology-Crazy Manzo Elementary students exploring Tumamoc geology. VOLUME 1-6 8 SPRING 2011 other mammals. and the emergence of humans and evolution, the demise of the dinosaurs, to many interesting questions about bone structures? These discoveries led dinosaurs and chickens had similar students when they realized that Can you imagine the surprise of our sense because they are both mammals. similar bone structures, which made related. Both humans and rats had and rats to see which ones might be from dinosaurs, chickens, humans, and casts, students compared bones After examining the dinosaur bones dinosaur fossils. we were looking at are older than the determine that the limestone fossils ago. Students were able to quickly dating from about 250 million years can be found in the Tucson Basin 450 million years ago. Sandstone Tucson was covered by an ocean about Tumamoc Hill, continued from 7 from continued Hill, Tumamoc that punch real a gives It rainforest. the of view elevated improved, and new this about visitors from comments positive many “received has Young inside.” conducted being research the discuss to time as well as types tree about visitors the from questions to respond to time “added cited Young Bill guide tour 2 Biosphere stop, new the by improved is content tour ways the Among facility.” the see to way new, a unique provides it past the in us visited have who people “For director. assistant interim 2’s Biosphere Adams, John said public,” visiting the to available been have not would otherwise that position elevated an from biome rainforest tropical 20-year-old now the view to visitors allows that addition important extremely an is “This experience. tour safer a provides and flexibility, route tour greater offers visitors, with research science discuss to time more allows stop tour this of addition The biome. rainforest I to TourRoute Added Overlook Rainforest guided tour: an overlook into the the into overlook an tour: guided its of portion newest the opened 2 Biosphere 2011, February early n n Adamson, Biosphere 2’s education education 2’s Biosphere Adamson, Matt said past,” the in faced we’ve challenges logistical the of some without minutes 15 every tours public run us helps stop tour new “The 2. Biosphere to come visitors of number greatest the when April, and February of months the between important particularly is flow,which tour improved also has stop new The dramatic.” so now is stop tour first very our Mrs. Ramirez and her students from Manzo examining the unidentified dinosaur bone. dinosaur unidentified the examining Manzo from students her and Ramirez Mrs. Biosphere 2 tour guide Tina Silverman explaining the attributes of the rainforest biome in the new new the in biome rainforest the stop. of tour attributes overlook the rainforest explaining Silverman Tina guide tour 2 Biosphere tour stop, preventing some of the the of some preventing stop, tour ‘old’ our using biome rainforest the into groups school take to able been “We’ve coordinator. outreach and encounters on the tour.” tour.” the on encounters one elevation in changes and stairs of number the given important really is which visitors, our for walking of amount significant a eliminate to us allowed has stop rainforest new “the said, he addition, In past.” the in had we’ve that tours among jams traffic n VOLUME 1-6 9 SPRING 2011 n Where science lives. exploration of cosmic origins from February 25th through May 14th – giving the public an additional two months to focus on cosmic origins. These programs will offer more discussion and explanation of the lectures during specially designed programs, each of which focuses on one of the lecture topics. Sense of Place facilities are now planning various collaborative summer and fall programs among the venues and with UA Science Connections and other partners. As the lecture series comes to a close, SkyCenter will carry on the Attendees enjoying Flandrau Brain Teasers 2 traveling exhibit. Rare minerals and rough gems ranging from peridotemeralds can and be rubies found toin the “Dangerous Beauty” exhibit. and objects where conditions for life might exist. During the lecture series, February 2nd to March 8th, the SkyNights infuses its nightly programs with observations of objects discussed in the lecture series, giving attendees the chance to view the objects on which the theories are based. offers the perfect observing complement to the exciting lectures. Using the 32- inch Schulman Telescope, the largest telescope dedicated to public observing in Arizona, Adam Block, public observing program coordinator, will lead programs that look at galaxies, quasars, evidence for dark matter, the chemistry of stars, companion series and a follow-on series to the spring 2011 College of Science lecture series, Cosmic Origins. The ideas expressed in the lecture series are foundedon decades of observations and calculations, and Mt. Lemmon The UA Science SkyCenter is offering both a

aboratory A Outreach: Sense of Place has begun instituting cross- programming at College

Crab Nebula, a supernova remnant. "Hindu Kush." This exhibit runs from February through May 2011. new exhibit, featuring some of the most beautiful and valuable gems and minerals ever displayed from the surrounding the vast mineral resources of Afghanistan and Pakistan with the UA Mineral Museum's hosting Dangerous Beauty: Minerals of the Hindu Kush. Visitors can take a rare peek inside the headlines also developing small informational exhibits about Brain Teasers 2 for display at the other Sense of Place venues. UA Science Flandrau is also to showcase some of the cutting- edge research going on at the University of Arizona. Flandrau is traveling exhibit, Brain Teasers 2, and partnering with the departments of neuroscience and mathematics are already underway. From January through May 2011, UA Science Flandrau is hosting a the University of Arizona and with community partners. This spring, two exciting cross-programming events The program is seeking funding for joint programs in 2011 and 2012 that connect across venues, within for Tree-Ring Research, Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, Steward Observatory Mirror Lab and Tumamoc Hill). U of Science venues (Biosphere 2, Flandrau Science Center, L Sense of Place to Coordinate Programs AcrossVenues VOLUME 1-6 10 SPRING 2011 Dragos Zaharescu Dragos sites.” field associated at and 2 Biosphere inside here studying are scientists our that time over change of kinds the scale global a on illustrate to tool perfect a It’s planet. the around vulnerability erosion water even and regimes moisture soil to vulnerability desertification global to earth on biomes major from everything show “We can said. he research,” our to relevant extremely are sets data the of many so that is great what’s but well, very that does this and literacy scientific visitors’ our increase to opportunities provide to “We want well. mission 2’s Biosphere complements OmniGlobe the thinks coordinator, outreach and education 2’s Biosphere Adamson, Matt research. 2 Biosphere from produced data even and weather, as such data real-time as well as ecology, and pollution, earthquakes, and volcanoes tectonics, plate oceanography, system, solar the as such sets data from content of array limitless virtually a project can that “globe” digital dramatic a is OmniGlobe era. UA-management the of exhibit interactive first the installed and acquired 2 Biosphere Foundation, Green C. Lois & Green Mason George the of generosity the Through system. Display Spherical Digital OmniGlobe diameter inch O OmniGlobe ExhibitOpens its newest exhibit: a 32- a exhibit: newest its unveiled 2 Biosphere 2011, 10, March Thursday, n emphasis on developmental instability under stress conditions. emphasis ondevelopmental instabilityunder stress inbiology oforganisms andecosystems, withan Universitytoobtainamaster’s degree moved toVigo inbiologyatAl.I.Cuza University ofIasi,thenhe abachelorofsciencedegree heearned where Romania, innorthern wasborn aridlandscapes.Zaharescu altered from instability inaquaticpredators severalstudiesinhabitatuseanddevelopmental collaborated withothercolleagues andco-authored honor, theDoctorEuropeus Additionally, doctorate award. received aninternational dissertation he globalclimatechange.Zaharescu’s torecent anditsrelationship themountainrocks mobilization from anditsinfluence onbiotasettlementtonaturaltraceelement ecotopeformation work rangedfrom The forcing. ofhigh-altitudecatchmentsand their sensitivitytoenvironmental and geochemistry theecology fundamentalquestionsconcerning addressed Kingston UniversityinLondon.Hisresearch UniversityinSpain, jointlywith conductedatVigo project research his PhDonaninterdisciplinary completed Dragosrecently other materialstobeusedfortheLandscapeEvolution Observatory. D Face New A His research will involve greenhouse studiesatB2toinvestigatetheweatheringofbasalt and willinvolvegreenhouse His research weatheringandchemicaldenudation.” interactionasadriverforrock “Plant-microbe-mineral 2011toworkontheNSF-fundedproject, 2inFebruary cametoBiosphere ragos Zaharescu Dramatic view of interesting earth data set as displayed on Biosphere 2’s brand new OmniGlobe exhibit. exhibit. OmniGlobe new 2’s brand Biosphere on displayed as set data earth interesting of view Dramatic interactive way,” said Hijazi. way,” said interactive and high-tech a in universe our of nature intricate the about youth our educating to commitment their to testament a is OmniGlobe the obtain to Foundation Green C. Lois & Green Mason George the from received we support generous “The 2. Biosphere to OmniGlobe brought that partnership the with pleased was affairs, external of director 2’s Biosphere Hijazi, Hassan inside Biosphere 2 and associated field sites.” field associated and 2 Biosphere inside here studying are scientists our that time over change of kinds the scale global a on illustrate to tool perfect a “It’s n the tour experience for our visitors.” Biosphere 2 that will really add value to edge, interactive exhibits on display at is ushering in a new era of cutting- annually and growing, OmniGlobe and with more than 100,000 visitors on the cusp of being operational, important research experiment, right Evolution Observatory, our most to Adamson. “With the Landscape exhibit era at Biosphere 2, according OmniGlobe is the beginning of a new n VOLUME 1-6 11 SPRING 2011 n Where science lives. it was a very powerful, life-changing life-changing verypowerful, a was it students.” the for experience participant student a Morga, Josue looked School, High Cholla from with experience his sharing to forward had we freedom the liked “I friends. respiration soil research and explore to would “I said. he Biosphere,” the in it because anyone to this recommend learn to experience fun and great a is science.” about more think this experience got them thinking thinking them got experience this think connected intimately are we how about natural healthy a on dependent and to ways many in that think I environment. Tucson GEAR UP high school students analyzing samples collected during soil permeability experiments conducted during the students’ visit to Biosphere 2. 2 removed the students from the the from students the removed 2 put and lives, daily their of routines “I setting. natural beautiful a in them out kids the get to important is it think opportunity an was this and nature into “I Mangin. added well,” as that do to trail, they might be asked asked be might they trail, their about questions and guides tour by work Adamson, Matt to according visitors,” outreach and education 2’s Biosphere happening up ended “This coordinator. students the although and bit, a quite the of end the by first, at shy bit a were tour a grab to wait couldn’t they day their explain to microphone guide’s visitors.” interested to research Biosphere at weekend the Spending to conduct their own own their conduct to research science authentic in so do to able be to and that it made Biosphere the and special more much exciting.” got 2 Biosphere to Visitors the with interact and see to made “We well. as students that students the to clear it research conducting by tour guided the along the Biosphere faculty. High High faculty. Biosphere the not do students school opportunity the get often Allen and Ruthie Preston n uring the weekend of March March of weekend the uring high 60 nearly 2011 4-6, Tucson from students school Ruthie Preston became an precious donation to Biosphere 2 from Allen and

the research of one of the scientists on on scientists the of one of research the Gift Reveals Two Halves BetterThan OneWhole importantly it was an opportunity for for opportunity an was it importantly own their conduct to students the to connected projects, research science Katrina Mangin, Principal Investigator Investigator Principal Mangin, Katrina co- and grant UP GEAR the on “Most weekend. the of organizer the Biosphere itself is an engineering engineering an is itself Biosphere the full is it and achievement science and that experiments science ongoing of Dr. to according see,” can students the “Being at B2 is a great experience experience great a is B2 at “Being science— in immersion an is it because work-based learning such as field trips, trips, field as such learning work-based the of development the to led which experience. 2 Biosphere school, graduate from high school, school, high from graduate school, other or university, college, enter and Additionally, programs. postsecondary with students provides UP GEAR across the United States fund college college fund States United the across help to designed activities readiness in stay students school secondary stands for Gaining Early Awareness Awareness Early Gaining for stands Undergraduate for Readiness and awarded grants UP GEAR Programs. students, from Tucson and Cholla Cholla and Tucson from students, this in supported were Schools, High UP GEAR UP. GEAR by experience D science intensive an in participated The 2. Biosphere at experience High School Students Conduct Research Inside Biosphere 2 Biosphere Inside Research Conduct Students School High and educational institutions. institutions. educational and his wife Ruthie are local business owners owners business local are Ruthie wife his of tons 92 than more donated have who museums various to specimens mineral visiting hours. mineral avid an been has Preston Allen and he age; young very a since collector this accident into an opportunity and is displaying the two pieces together; they can be viewed during normal million was dropped and broke in two, revealing a brilliant blue and green interior. Biopshere 2 turned A even greater gift due to a mishap. During its placement at B2, the large, mineralized rock valued at $1 VOLUME 1-6 12 SPRING 2011 www.b2science.org 520.626.4092 Affairs External UA/B2 of Office the by Developed 85721 Arizona Tucson, 210158-B Box PO Avenue Park N. 845 526 Suite Building, Marshall Campus 2/UA Biosphere 85623 Arizona Oracle Road Biosphere S. 32540 2 Biosphere involved inanyofthefollowingways. hope youwillconsiderbecoming choices.Wehelps usmakeinformed and the sciencethat our environment about depends onpeoplewhocare 2’scutting-edge work Biosphere Help How YouCan environments. resilient and about diverse more learn creating to 2 for Biosphere strategies visit other Come and cold escaping. from microclimates block air will warm covers prevent ground help and will Shrubs canopies heights. tree and layers different wind, at Create grow weather. that extreme plants from trees clustering by fruit and landscape in gardens your in microclimates protecting for Creating strategy humidity. and effective an is sun, temperature yard the own their to your affect orientation naturally can elevation, on received based sunlight systems of living key amount One and Organizing environments. microclimates. different of use vastly the from is success organisms this to together brings successfully 2 Biosphere roof, one Under Tip Sustainability 2. 1.

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