Office: ML 200C/ Scott Hall 135E
Phone: (614) 247-6051
E-mail: barker.246@osu.edu
Division: Globla and Environmental Change

Joel Barker’s research focuses on understanding the biogeochemical cycling of organic matter and elements in polar and alpine environments; Specifically, to characterize the biogeochemical effect of climate change in glaciated and recently deglaciated environments. Barker’s research combines various techniques to quantify organic matter storage and mobilization, respiration and export, and characterize biogeochemical transformations involving organic matter as it is transported through aquatic and terrestrial systems. Alpine and polar environments are targeted because they are ecosystems which a) form the headwaters of important watersheds globally, b) are environments in which organic matter biogeochemistry is currently poorly characterized and c) are experiencing the most drastic effects of global climate change.