Mariah Carbone, UC Santa Barbara (IMAGE) University of California - Santa Barbara Caption Mariah Carbone works on equipment used in the study of the microclimate where a Bishop pine forest is located on Santa Cruz Island. The large containers are automated soil respiration chambers, and the four small white pipes are soil carbon dioxide sensors. They allow the researchers to determine how much carbon dioxide is being produced in the soil -- by plants and microbes -- and put into the atmosphere. Credit Sean Schaeffer Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.