connecting mountains to oceans from the arctic to the ... · this project has received funding from...

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 732065

Deliverable No 3.1: Factsheet template

Project Title: AQUACOSM: Network of Leading European AQUAtic MesoCOSM Facilities

Connecting Mountains to Oceans from the Arctic to the Mediterranean

Project number: 732065

Project Acronym: AQUACOSM

Proposal full title: Network of Leading European AQUAtic MesoCOSM Facilities

Connecting Mountains to Oceans from the Arctic to the Mediterranean

Type: Research and innovation actions

Work program topics addressed:

H2020-INFRAIA-2016-2017: Integrating and opening research infrastructures of European interest

Due date of deliverable:

31 August 2017

Actual submission date:

16 August 2017

Version: v2

Main Authors: Lisette N. de Senerpont Domis (NIOO), Deniz Başoğlu (METU), Meryem Beklioglu (METU), Simon Keeble (BLIT), Anders Nielsen (AU), Dennis Trolle (AU), Robert Ptacnik (WCL), Ioulia Santi (HCMR), Daphne Buijert-de Gelder (NIOO), Jens Nejstgaard (IGB-Berlin), Stella Berger (IGB-Berlin), Dominique Durand (UNI), Tatiana Tsagaraki (UiB)


Project ref. number 731065

Project title AQUACOSM: NETWORK OF LEADING EUROPEAN AQUATIC MESOCOSM FACILITIES

Deliverable title Factsheet template

Deliverable number D3.1

Deliverable version Version 1.0

Contractual date of delivery 31 August 2017

Actual date of delivery 16 August

Document status FINAL

Document version

Online access Yes

Diffusion Public

Nature of deliverable R: Report

Workpackage WP3

Partner responsible NIOO-KNAW

Author(s) Lisette N. de Senerpont Domis (NIOO), Deniz Başoğlu (METU), Meryem Beklioglu (METU), Simon Keeble (BLIT), Anders Nielsen (AU), Dennis Trolle (AU), Robert Ptacnik (WCL), Ioulia Santi (HCMR), Daphne Buijert-de Gelder (NIOO), Jens Nejstgaard (IGB-Berlin), Stella Berger (IGB-Berlin), Dominique Durand (UNI), Tatiana Tsagaraki (UiB)

Editor

Approved by Jens Nejstgaard (IGB)

EC Project Officer Agnes Robin

Abstract The main target of AQUACOSM is to provide the international research community with a unique network of infrastructures enabling breakthrough research on aquatic ecology. Site documentation on mesocosm facilities is key to facilitating such a network, and will prove to be an important resource for current and future mesocosm science. As part of WP3 “transnational network of best practices, harmonization and international training a factsheet template is developed. This template can be filled in online, and the site documentation data thus collected will feed into an online accessible repository. Users within and beyond AQUACOSM can use this repository to plan their experiment more efficiently.


Keywords Site documentation, transnational access, repository, metadata

D3.1 Factsheet template

AQUACOSM – INFRA-01-2016-2017- N. 732065 of 16

Co-funded by the European Union

Table of Contents

1. Executive summary .............................................................................................................................................. 6

2. Factsheet template for site documentation ........................................................................................................ 7

2.1 Development ............................................................................................................................................ 7

2.2 Contents of the factsheet template ......................................................................................................... 7

2.3 Preliminary data on site documentation ................................................................................................. 7

2.3.1 Description of mesocosm facilities ..................................................................................................... 7

2.3.2 Logistic information .......................................................................................................................... 10

2.3.3 Permits, risk management and procedures ...................................................................................... 10

2.3.4 Research and innovation .................................................................................................................. 10

2.3.5 Mesocosm experiments .................................................................................................................... 11

2.3.6 Instruments/sensors/equipment available ...................................................................................... 11

3. Dissemination activities related with the Deliverable ....................................................................................... 15

4. Appendix 1 Standardized form for collection of site documentation data ....................................................... 16




1. Executive summary The main target of AQUACOSM is to provide the international research community with a unique network of infrastructures enabling breakthrough research on aquatic ecology. Site documentation on mesocosm facilities is key to facilitating such a network, and will prove to be an important resource for current and future mesocosm science. As part of WP3 “transnational network of best practices, harmonization and international training a factsheet template is developed. This deliverable provides a standardized form (template) that can be filled in to create an online repository of site documentation (meta)data. This standardized form can be filled out online and covers several topics, including general (contact) information, mesocosm facility description, logistic information, permits & risk management, research and innovation, mesocosm experiments as well as instruments, sensors and equipment available. The standardized form is a result of face-to-face and virtual discussion and several revision rounds, based on the input from the members of WP3, WP4, and the Steering Committee. To test run the standardized form and collect preliminary site documentation data on AQUACOSM mesocosm facilities, the online form was distributed amongst and filled out by the AQUACOSM partners, providing preliminary data on site documentation.




2. Factsheet template for site documentation

2.1 Development

Development of the standardized form followed a stepped approach. First, the rough outline of the initial form was discussed during the AQUACOSM kick-off meeting, February 2017. Based on the discussion held and additional virtual meetings, a draft template was circulated amongst members of WP3 & 4 and the Steering Committee. The issues raised by the AQUACOSM partners were implemented in a second draft template, which was again circulated amongst members of WP3 & 4, and selected members of the Steering Committee. To test run and collect preliminary data for the site documentation repository, the draft template resulting from these revisions was distributed amongst the AQUACOSM partners, with the request to fill in the template for each mesocosm facility. This test run resulted in addition of new questions, and more accommodating grouping of the different questions under the following topics to general (contact) information, mesocosm facility description, logistic information, permits & risk management, research and innovation, mesocosm experiments as well as instruments, sensors and equipment available. This standardized final form for collection of site documentation data can be found in Appendix 1 Standardized form for collection of site documentation data

2.2 Contents of the factsheet template

The standardized form is fillable online and covers several topics, including general (contact) information, mesocosm facility description, logistic information, permits & risk management, research and innovation, mesocosm experiments and instruments/sensors/equipment available. At present the form is made using the commercially available software SurveyMonkey®, but this can be easily converted to other formats. Ideally, the form will be embedded in the mesocosm.eu website to facilitate collection of site documentation data beyond AQUACOSM. The collated information will made available online through WP4.

2.3 Preliminary data on site documentation

As the target audience may be different for different sections of the standardized form, the test form was distributed using three separate surveys, i.e. a survey on transnational access, a survey on mesocosm science, and a survey on site documentation. As sites might have multiple mesocosm facilities, we asked the respondents to fill in the survey for each mesocosm facility present on the site. Below, information is grouped on the following topics, i.e. mesocosm facility description, logistic information, permits & risk management, research and innovation, and instruments/sensors/equipment available. Based on the test run, we have added additional questions on mesocosm experiments, which therefore have limited preliminary data.

2.3.1 Description of mesocosm facilities

Details on mesocosm facilities were filled in for 19 out of 37 mesocosm facilities. Below we present some of the results of this part of the survey.

The majority of the mesocosm facilities are representative for lakes and ponds (Fig. 1). Running waters are underrepresented in comparison to stagnant waters.




Figure 1: Overview of types of aquatic systems represented in the mesocosm facilities.

The majority of the mesocosm facilities are located in a climatic zone with a warm, dry-summer continental climate (Fig. 2).

Figure 2: Overview of climatic zones (Köppen climate classification) in which the mesocosm facilities are located.

The majority of the mesocosm facilities described are located on land (58%), 26% are in the water, and 16 % on land as well as water. More than 70% of the mesocosm facilities are located outdoors. The amount of units available on mesocosm facilities ranges from 2 to 138, with volumes ranging from 0.3 m3 to 1270 m3. More than

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70% of the mesocosm facilities include or have the option to include sediment. This sediment can be natural (22%), artificial (6%) or either (44%), see Fig. 3. Most of the mesocosm facilities allow for automated regulation of temperature (88%) and light (63%). Some facilities allow for automated regulation of the mixing regime, and water and airflow. A minority of the mesocosm facilities are able to automatically manipulate the flow of CO2, O2 and N2.

Figure 3: Overview of parameters that can be automatically regulated in the mesocosm facilities.

Substrate can be manipulated at 65% of the mesocosm facilities, whereas species composition can be manipulated at 88% of the mesocosm facilities. 71% of the mesocosm facilities allow for manipulation of humic substances. In 53% of the mesocosm facilities additional parameters can be manipulated ranging from nutrient to habitat fragmentation to connectivity. In past experiments in the majority of the mesocosm sites (83-89%) macronutrients have been used as a specific treatment, i.e. specific relative proportions of carbon, nitrogen, or phosphorus (Fig. 4). In future experiments, mesocosm facilities are not only expected to allow for application of nutrient treatments, but also for manipulation of iron (57%), aluminium (28%), heavy metals (28%), pharmaceuticals (387%), pesticides/herbicides (43%) or introduction of non-native or invasive species (36%).

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What types of parameters can be manipulated automatically? With this we mean that some form of

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Figure 4: Overview of amendments used in past experiments at the mesocosm facilities.

2.3.2 Logistic information

Details on logistics were filled in for 18 out of 37 mesocosm facilities. Most mesocosm facilities are best accessible by car, with distance to the nearest airport ranging from 1 hour to up to 4 hours. Accommodation are (82%) within walking distance for most of the mesocosm facilities. Most of the mesocosm facilities are located within short distance (< 5 km) to shops, bars and restaurants. Leisure facilities are usually within driving distance.

2.3.3 Permits, risk management and procedures

Details on permits, risk management and procedures were filled in for 18 out of 37 mesocosm facilities. For 56% of the mesocosm facilities there is a need to acquire permission from authorities for carrying out experiments. However, this sometimes only applies for application of non-natural substances or introduction of non-native species. Operating of the mesocosm facilities is, in the majority of the sites (70%), not associated with personal health or work hazards. Only a small number of mesocosm facilities (17%) may be prone to environmental hazard when in operation, this mostly pertains to heavy weather conditions, such as floods.

2.3.4 Research and innovation

Questions on research and innovation were filled in for 18 out of 37 mesocosm facilities. At 67% of the mesocosm facilities only fundamental research is carried out, a minor part of the mesocosm facilities cater to technological development and innovation (5-17%). However, 26% of the respondents expect to provide access to the private sector through AQUACOSM (for research and development), and 28% of the respondents expect to provide products related to mesocosm science (e.g. data, information, analytical tools) to the private sector. The range of research carried out at the facilities includes assessing the impact of different aspects of global change (e.g. eutrophication, acidification, water level fluctuation, changing weather conditions), testing of ecological theories in the realm of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (e.g. metacommunity dynamics), to environmental impact assessment (e.g. ecotoxicological studies). According to the respondents, future mesocosm science should facilitate multiple stressor impacts on trophic interactions, complete control of dispersal and amongst others for continuous recording of biotic variables to allow for identification of early warning signals.

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What, if any of the following substances have so far been used in your mesocosm facility?

Responses




One of the most frequently mentioned technical limitations of current day mesocosm science is the availability of automated sensors of abiotic and biotic parameters. Most respondents indicated that the developments expected in the AQUACOSM network may likely allow to better addressing different aspects of global change, including changes in climate and nutrient enrichment.

Figure 5: Nature of the research carried out at the mesocosm facilities.

2.3.5 Mesocosm experiments

The mesocosm facilities of the respondents have been designed to address research question in the field of hydrology, ecotoxicology, global environmental change, and fundamental aspects of food web dynamics, and community assembly. Most mesocosm facilities have been modified to some extent after the initial construction, usually related to optimization with the increasing availability of more advanced approaches and/or equipment.

2.3.6 Instruments/sensors/equipment available

Details on instruments, sensors and equipment available were filled in for 20 out of 37 mesocosm facilities. Most facilities have means to measure pH, O2, temperature, light intensity, conductivity and Chl-a fluorescence (Fig. 6). Automated measurements are less commonly available at the different mesocosm facilities as shown in Figure 7.

Only fundamentalresearch

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facility owner

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partnership withSMEs or larger

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Figure 6: Overview of sensors and probes that can be deployed manually at the mesocosm sites.

Figure 7: Overview of sensors and probes that are available for automated measurements and logging at the mesocosm sites.

Figure 8 shows the equipment available for measuring biological variables at the mesocosm facilities. Whereas more traditional quantification methods using microscopy or absorption or fluorescence based methods are

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What kind of sensor and probes can be deployed manually at your mesocosm facility?

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readily available at most mesocosm facilities, molecular techniques are less frequently available. Sampling at the majority of the mesocosm facilities focuses on smaller organisms, including pelagic microbes, phytoplankton and zooplankton (Fig. 9)

Figure 8: Overview of equipment available for measuring biological variables.

Figure 9: Overview of organism groups sampled at the mesocosm facilities.

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What type of equipment is available for measuring biological variables? Multiple answers possible...

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For measurement of chemical variables most mesocosm facilities have an autoanalyzer readily available, other techniques such as gas chromatography or liquid chromatography are less frequently available (Fig. 10).

Figure 10: Overview of equipment available for measuring chemical variables.

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3. Dissemination activities related with the Deliverable The standardized form for collection of site documentation data will be distributed to the mesocosm community beyond AQUACOSM after the best practices workshop.




4. Appendix 1 Standardized form for collection of site documentation data

Thank you for participating in our survey. Your feedback is important.

Importantly, this questionnaire needs to be filled in for each mesocosm facility separately, sopartners with multiple facilities fill on site, need to fill in multiple questionnaires. There are xxquestions, and the survey will take about xx minutes to complete. Once you have started thequestionnaire it needs to be completed.

Thank you for your time!

More information on AQUACOSM can be found on http://aquacosm.eu/

Introduction

AQUACOSM site documentation

General information


1. What is the name of your mesocosm facility?

2. What is the affiliation of your aquatic mesocosm facility (Institute/University name)?

3. In which country is the mesocosm facility located?

1

4. On which continent is the mesocosm facility located?

Lat

Long

5. Provide the XY coordinates of your mesocosm facility in decimal degrees or degree, minutes andseconds

Date / Time

DD

/

MM

/

YYYY

6. What is the date of filling in this form?

Contact details


7. What is the address of the institute?

First name

Last name

email address

Phone

8. What are the contact details of the responsible person of the mesocosm facility:

First name

Last name

email address

Phone

9. What are the contact details of the owners of the data:

2

Description of mesocosm facility


10. Mesocosm experiments since:

11. What type of watersystem is model for your mesocosm facility? Multiple answers possible...

River

Pond

Lake

Estuary

Marine coastal

Marine open water

Other

3

12. In what climatic zone (Köppen climate classification) is your facility located? Multiple answers possible...

Humid subtropical climate

Temperate oceanic climate

Hot-summer Mediterranean climate

Warm-summer Mediterranean climate

Cool-summer Mediterranean climate

Hot-Summer continental climate

Warm-Summer continental climate

Subarctic climate

Extremely cold subarctic climate

Hot, dry-summer continental climate

Warm, dry-summer continental climate

dry-summer subarctic climate

Extremely cold, dry-summer subarctic climate

Mild tundra climate

Cold tundra climate

Ice cap climate

Other

Explanation, if needed

13. Are your mesocosms placed on land or in the water or both?

Land-based

Water-Based

Both

Explanation, if needed

14. Are your mesocosms indoor, outdoor or both?

Indoor

Outdoor

Both

15. How many mecososm units are available?

4

Depth

Width/Diameter

Length

Maximum volume

16. What are the dimensions of your mesocosms units (in meters) and the volume of ech unit (m3)

17. Can your mesocosms contain sediment?

Yes

No

18. Can the sediment be natural, artificial or both?

Natural

Artificial

Both

Not applicable

Other (please specify)

19. What types of parameters can be manipulated automatically? With this we mean that some form of automatic regulation is inplace. Multiple answers possible...

Light

Temperature

CO2

O2

pH

N2

Mixing regime

Water flow rate

Air flow rate

Salinity

20. Can you manipulate any of the following in your mesocosm? Multiple answers possible...

Substrate

Species composition

Humic substances

Other

21. If so, please specify

5


22. What, if any of the following substances have so far been used in your mesocosm facility?

Phosphorus

Nitrogen

Carbon

Iron

Aluminium

Heavy metals

Pharmaceuticals

Pesticides/herbicides

Non-native or invasive species

23. Is it allowed to use any of the substances in experimental treatments?

Phosphorus

Nitrogen

Carbon

Iron

Aluminium

Heavy metals

Pharmaceuticals

Pesticides/herbicides

Non-native or invasive species

What are the backgroundnutrient levels of yoursystem?

What is the limitingnutrient?

24. For in-situ facilities (mesocosms installed on the lake/coastal site):

Which sites are availableas source locations? (e.g.plankton inoculum)

Briefly describe nutrientstatus/habitat type

25. For land based mesocosms:

6

Logistic information


26. Can you briefly describe how to access your mesocom facility?

Explain, if necessary

27. How far is the mesocosm facility located from accommodation?

< 2 km (walking distance)

> 2 km < 5 km (biking distance)

> 5 km (driving distance)


28. How far is the mesocosm facility located from shops?





29. How far is the mesocosm facility located from bars/restaurants?





30. How far is the mesocosm facility located from public transport?





31. How far is the mesocosm facility located from sports/leisure centres?




7

Permits, risk management and procedures



32. Are there specific regulations regarding operating your mesocosms? Multiple answers possible ...

Insurance

Health and Safety

Animal safety procedures

Smoking ban on site

Working outside office hours

If yes, please specify

33. Do you need to acquire permission from local/regional or national authorities for carrying out experiments in your mesocosms?

Yes

No

If yes, please explain

34. Are there personal health/work hazards associated with operating your mesocosms?

Yes

No

If yes, please explain

35. Are there environmental hazards associated with operating your mesocosms (e.g. flooding)

Yes

No

8

Research and innovation



36. How would you describe the research performed at your facility?

Only fundamental research

Research & technological development

Research & innovation by the facility owner

Research & innovation in partnership with SMEs or larger industry


37. Is your mesocosm contributing to development and/or testing of new technologies?

Yes, we are developing technologies as a part of the facility’s activity

Yes we are testing technologies as a part of the facility’s activity

No only research is performed at the facility


38. Does you provide mesocosm facility provide services to the private sector?

No – the mesocosm facility is only used for research

Not yet, but we expect to develop this activity through AQUACOSM

Yes

9

Specify which type ofservices the facilityprovides services toSMEs (if any)

Specify which type ofservices the facilityprovides to largeenterprises or theindustry (if any)


39. If yes, please specify

40. Does your mesocosm facility provide products (data, information, analysis, etc.) to the private orpublic sector?

No – the facility does not provide any products to private actors or authorities

Not yet, but we expect to develop this activity through AQUACOSM

Yes

Specify which type ofproducts the mesocomfacility provides servicesto SMEs (if any)

Specify which type ofproducts the mesocosmfacility provides to largeenterprises or theindustry (if any)


41. If yes, please specify

42. What type of services could be potentially provided by your mesocosm facility? Multiple answers possible...

Access & support for testing technologies (target: manufacturing SMEs or larger industry)

Access for running experiments (target: environment SMEs, research groups, other?)

Platform for environmental monitoring (target: national environmental agencies, research organisations, NGOs, other?)


Mesocosm experiments


10

43. Briefly describe for what type(s) of scientific topics/experiments the mesocosm facilitywas constructed

44. If the facilities were significantly modified since initial construction: for what type of scientifictopics/experiments have they been (later)redesigned? (If not, please answer N/A)

45. What specialist areas are available at your mesocosm facility?

46. What specialist are you looking for at your mesocosm facility?

47. Briefly describe (min. 2) experiments from the past. Please specify when they have been performed

48. Briefly describe the experiment running now. Please specify when the experiment will be finished

49. Briefly describe the experiments that will run in the future. Please specify when they will beperformed

50. What is the modality of access under AQUACOSM?

51. Can you briefly describe what type of personal assistance is available for carrying out experiments?

11

2018 2019 2020

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

Jun.

Jul.

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

52. Fill in the availability of the mesocosm facility

Instruments/sensors/equipment available


12

Other

53. What kind of sensor and probes can be deployed manually at your mesocosm facility? Multiple answers possible...

pH

O2 saturation

O2 concentration

Temperature

Chl-A

Salinity

Conductivity

Light (PAR)

Light spectrum

Chl-A fluorescence total

Chl-A fluorescence per algal groups

Cyano-A Fluorescence

Turbidity

Depth

Nitrogen

Rhodamine

Flow rate

13

Other

54. What kind of sensor and probes are available for automated measurements and logging? Multiple answers possible...

pH

O2 saturation

O2 concentration

Temperature

Chl-A

Salinity

Conductivity

Light (PAR)

Light spectrum

Chl-A fluorescence total

Chl-A fluorescence per algal groups

Cyano-A Fluorescence

Turbidity

Depth

Nitrogen

Rhodamine

Flow rate

55. What type of equipment is available for measuring chemical variables? Multiple answers possible...

Autoanalyzer (continuous flow analyzer)

Elemental analyzer

ICP

Gas chromatography

Liquid chromatography

Mass spectrometry

NIRS

TIC TOC analyzer

Other

56. What species of carbon can you measure (e.g. doc, dic, tic, toc etc.)

57. What species of nitrogen can you measure (e.g. TN, ammonium, nitrate, nitrite , etc.)?

14

58. What species of phosphorus can your measure (e.g. total phosphorus, soluble reactive phosphorus,etc.)?

59. What other chemical variables do you measure (silicate, ferrous iron etc.)?

60. Is there a possibility to work with isotopes at your mesocosm facility?

61. If so, is a license needed?

Yes

No

Not applicable

62. What type of equipment is available for measuring biological variables? Multiple answers possible...

Inverted light microscope

Inverted fluorescence microscope

confocal microscope

electron microscope

Dissecting microscope

Flowcam

Phytopam

Flowcytometer

Photospectrometer

HPLC

eDNA sequencing

PCR

qPCR

DGGE

Other

15

63. Which organism groups do you sample? Multiple answers possible...

Pelagic microbes

Benthic microbes

Phytoplankton

Phytobenthos

Zooplankton

Zoobenthos

Macrofauna

Macrophytes

Fish


Thank you for filling in this survey.

We kindly request you to send a picture (in 300 tpi) of your mesocosm facility to ...


16

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