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

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