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SOMNET - A Global network of soil organic matter models and long term experiments (fwd)
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To: Multiple recipients of list SUSTAG-L <SUSTAG-L@WSUVM1.BITNET>
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Subject: SOMNET - A Global network of soil organic matter models and long term experiments (fwd)
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From: "Tom Hodges (moderated newsgroup)" <sustag@BETA.TRICITY.WSU.EDU>
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Date: Thu, 24 Nov 1994 14:24:44 -0800
[I have invited SOMNET, centered at Rothamsted Experiment Station to
use sustag-l, at least to get started. Soil organic matter is a basic
component of sustainable agriculture. Anyway we will see how things go.
Let me know if this seems appropriate or not. TH, moderator]
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 24 Nov 1994 11:19:05 +0000
From: JOSMITH <jo.smith@afrc.ac.uk>
To: Non Receipt Notification Requested <sustag@beta.tricity.wsu.edu>
Subject: SOMNET - A Global network of soil organic matter models and long term
experiments
SOMNET: A GLOBAL NETWORK OF SOIL ORGANIC MATTER MODELS AND
LONG-TERM EXPERIMENT DATASETS
SOMNET is a global network of soil organic matter models
and long-term experiments and will be established during
1995. Soil organic matter (SOM) represents a major pool of
carbon within the biosphere, acting as both a source and
sink. When organic material decomposes, CO2 is released,
but a fraction may become stable, withdrawing it from the
active carbon cycle. Changes in climate are likely to
influence the rates of accumulation and decomposition of
SOM through changes in temperature, moisture and the rate
of return of plant residues to the soil. Other changes,
especially in land use and management, may have even
greater effects. The ability to predict the effects of
climate, atmospheric composition and land use change on SOM
dynamics is essential in formulating environmental,
agricultural and social/economic policies. Mathematical
models of SOM dynamics are needed to predict the effects of
environmental change, to test specific scenarios and to
develop strategies to manage the effects of environmental
change. Most models have been developed using data from a
single land use type. The ability of models developed for
use in one system (e.g. arable agriculture) to simulate SOM
changes in another (e.g. grassland) is a major limitation
when simulating the impact of land use change. There is a
pressing need to systematically evaluate the suitability of
SOM models in predicting the effects of environmental
change.
SOMNET will establish a network of researchers
investigating the impacts of environmental change on SOM
with particular relevance to the validation of mathematical
models that can be used to evaluate management and policy
options. Questionnaires will be sent to holders of datasets
to establish nature of sites, type of measurements, quality
control measures and the availability of data. Similarly,
questionnaires will be sent to developers of models to
establish type of models, nature of model inputs and
outputs, quality control measures and the availability of
the model. The collated information will be published as a
directory and electronic database to provide information
about the source and nature of experimental datasets and
SOM models.
A NATO Advanced Research Workshop will initate a comparison
of model performance to evaluate representative SOM models
using representative long-term experimental data sets.
Holders of representative experimental datasets and
developers of representative models will be invited to
participate in the workshop to be held May 22-26, 1995, at
Rothamsted, UK. This will establish robustness of
simulations over a wide range of environments and expose
deficiencies in understanding and/or available experimental
data.
Questionnaires will be sent out before the end of 1994. If
you would like to participate in SOMNET, please contact...
Pete Smith,
Soil Science Department,
IACR Rothamsted,
Harpenden,
Herts,
AL5 2JQ
UK.
Telephone: (+44) 582 763133
Fax: (+44) 582 760981
Email: PESMITH@BBSRC.AC.UK
To be considered for invitation to the NATO Workshop to be
held May 22-26, 1995 on "Evaluation of Soil Organic Matter
Models using Long Term Experimental Datasets",
questionnaires must be returned by 1 February, 1995.
For information about experimental datasets or models to be
included in a directory to be compiled at the end of 1995,
questionnaires must be returned by 1 September 1995.
For information about experimental datasets or models to be
included in SOMNET, questionnaires can be returned at any
time.