Review of the Draft Second State of the Carbon Cycle Report (SOCCR2)

The second "State of the Climate Cycle Report" (SOCCR2) aims to elucidate the fundamental physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the carbon cycle and to discuss the challenges of accounting for all major carbon stocks and flows for the North American continent. This assessment report has broad value, as understanding the carbon cycle is not just an academic exercise. Rather, this understanding can provide an important foundation for making a wide variety of societal decisions about land use and natural resource management, climate change mitigation strategies, urban planning, and energy production and consumption. To help assure the quality and rigor of SOCCR2, this report provides an independent critique of the draft document.

The second "State of the Climate Cycle Report" (SOCCR2) aims to elucidate the fundamental physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the carbon cycle and to discuss the challenges of accounting for all major carbon stocks and flows for the North American continent. This assessment report has broad value, as understanding the carbon cycle is not just an academic exercise. Rather, this understanding can provide an important foundation for making a wide variety of societal decisions about land use and natural resource management, climate change mitigation strategies, urban planning, and energy production and consumption. To help assure the quality and rigor of SOCCR2, this report provides an independent critique of the draft document. Table of ContentsFront MatterSummaryIntroductionReport Overview AnalysisComments on the Executive SummaryChapter 1: Overview of the Global Carbon CycleChapter 2: The North American Carbon Budget: Past, Present, and FutureChapter 3: Energy SystemsChapter 4: UrbanChapter 5: AgricultureChapter 6: Social Science Perspectives on CarbonChapter 7: Tribal LandsChapter 8: Observations of Atmospheric CO2 and CH4Chapter 9: ForestsChapter 10: GrasslandsChapter 11: Arctic and Boreal CarbonChapter 12: SoilsChapter 13: Terrestrial WetlandsChapter 14: Inland WatersChapter 15: Tidal Wetlands and EstuariesChapter 16: Coastal Oceans and Continental ShelvesChapter 17: Consequences of Rising Atmospheric CO2Chapter 18: Carbon Cycle Science in the Support of Decision-makingChapter 19: Future of the North American Carbon CycleReferencesAppendix: Committee Biosketches