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SOMNET - A Global network of soil organic matter models and long term experiments (fwd)

[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.