Building Cross-Site and Cross-Network collaborations in critical zone science

The critical zone (CZ) includes natural and anthropogenic environments, where life, energy and matter cycles combine in complex interactions in time and space. Critical zone observatories (CZOs) have been established around the world, yet their limitations in space and duration of observations, as well as the oft-existing dominant disciplinary research field(s) of each CZO may limit the transferability of the local knowledge to other settings or hinder integrative CZ understanding. In this regard, this review advocates for cross-site cross-network collabo-rations in CZ sciences. We posit that this type of collaboration is becoming indispensable for understanding past trends and future trajectories of the CZ, in the context of fast-developing and widespread environmental changes. Aided by a series of cyberseminars and a community survey, we highlight some of the existing cross-site ini-tiatives, tools and techniques, and the cross-cutting science questions that could benefit from such cross-network syntheses, in various types of CZ settings (montane, alpine, arctic, managed and agricultural environments, lakes, wetlands, streams, landscapes disturbed by drought and/or wildfire, etc.). This review also identifies and dis-cusses the major and legitimate concerns and obstacles for a collaborative CZ approach, including data harmonization and integration of social sciences, and proposes tentative ways forward.

Automated summary

The critical zone (CZ) is a complex system that combines natural and human elements, and understanding it requires cross-site cross-network collaborations. This review highlights the limitations of individual CZ observatories and advocates for a collaborative approach to studying the CZ. Various existing initiatives, tools, and techniques are discussed, along with the challenges and possible solutions for data harmonization and integration of social sciences.