Attempts to scale processes over heterogeneous surfaces is one of the most ubiquitous problems in science. Heterogeneity in mass and energy transfer across the surface-atmosphere interface ranges from micron to global scales. Explicitly resolving these exchange processes across the whole range of spatial and temporal scales is not feasible. It is necessary to examine how multi-scale processes manifest themselves across the subset of explicitly resolved scales, and further to address what is the impact of the spatial and temporal heterogeneity on the observed and modeled states and fluxes of the system.

We wish to invite presentations addressing challenges and possible ways forward with regards to scale issues in the Earth system. Specific focus is given to biogeochemical and hydrological fluxes and processes through both observational and modeling frameworks. We would like to encourage submissions related to 1) attempts to account for subgrid heterogeneity in modeling and remote sensing, 2) the role of heterogeneity in pattern formation processes and 3) innovative analytical and statistical techniques for addressing scaling.