The closure problem: Happiness is a balanced equation

Ten years ago, Professor John Norman led a small research effort to examine the underestimation of surface energy balance closure over an Oklahoma grassland during the Southern Great Plains Hydrology Experiment. Results led to a publication whose number of citations places it in the top 1% of its field. John Norman's 'field' has never really been defined, but whether plant canopies, soil, or near-surface atmosphere, whether through instrument use or development, satellite remote sensing, or computer models, his vast knowledge has created scientists from students. We are in academic institutions, government agencies, and private industry. Our success is a testament to his uncanny ability to reach the human being inside the student and nurture our curiosity of the natural world. John's work with observing, modeling, and scaling fluxes from small to large scales is especially relevant for issues ranging from future food supply to climate change. Recent results of ecosystem modeling studies inspired by the need for regional flux estimates will be presented.