Projects

The main research focus of the Biometeorology and Soil Physics Group of UBC (BIOMET) is to better understand the micrometeorological and physiological processes controlling carbon dioxide (CO₂), water vapor (H₂O), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and energy exchanges between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere. Current projects are:

1. Measuring greenhouse gas emissions in blueberry, potato and forage fields in the Lower Fraser Valley, and mitigation by developing best management practices (AGGP AA-FC)
2. Increasing carbon sequestration and forest resilience by nitrogen fertilization of west-coast Douglas-fir stands (NSERC, CFI, BCFLNRORD, Island Timberlands)
3. Measurements and modelling of the recovery of pine-dominated forest following mountain-pine-beetle infestation in the Interior BC (NSERC, CFI, BCFLNRORD, PICS)
4. Monitoring fugitive CH4 emissions from liquid natural gas pads in northeast British Columbia (BC Geoscience, NRCan)
5. Adaptation to climate change in horticultural production by using specialty plastic films as mulches or in low tunnels (CAI BCMA, AAFC, BCAC, Ardcorp, IAF)
6. Understanding long-term trends and interannual variability in carbon, water and energy fluxes over conifer and deciduous boreal forest stands to determine climate sensitivity of carbon sequestration and water balance (CCAR NSERC)