A semi-arid grassland Image:Ethan Gutmann As we ponder
engineering ecosystems to sequester carbon, we must keep in mind
the long-term response of these systems. Many past studies have
looked at short-term changes in ecosystem responses to
temperature changes, but a new paper published in the journal
Nature reveals a fascinating interplay of processes over the
longer term. The authors of this study set out to examine the
impact of a single year of extreme temperature on a grassland
ecosystem. The response to an extreme event is important because
predicted changes in climate involve more than just an average
increase in temperature. The future climate is also likely to
include an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme
temperatures. Grasslands are relevant because they cover roughly
40 percent of the earth's land surface area. To accomplish their
goal, the authors set up twelve sections of soil and grass in
enclosed chambers (sections were 2.4m long, 1.2m wide, and 1.8m
deep). These sections were tak