Addressing research challenges of environmental change at the global scale via Research Infrastructures collaboration and alignment

The forest landscape is of global importance for net radiative forcing. As the world warms, feedbacks within the ecosystems alter greenhouse gas (GHG) balances. Coordinated observations of GHG fluxes and concentrations, and of more chemically active species, as well as variables describing the ecosystem, are essential for understanding and prediction of feedbacks. ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System), ACTRIS (Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gas Research Infrastructure) and SITES (Swedish Infrastructure for Ecosystem Science) have already provided >10 years of data for open science. These measurements on the carbon cycle, air quality, and ecosystem behavior already provide key information for quantifying GHG emissions and sinks, and investigating feedbacks under a changing climate. ACTRIS Sweden, ICOS Sweden and SITES have developed a strategic plan for enhanced cooperation. This will better address the global challenge of understanding ecosystem influences on GHG fluxes as the climate warms, as well as the interplay of physical and chemical properties of the atmosphere on ecosystems.

 

Before summarizing that plan for deeper cooperation, it is worth noting some more about these three national networks. ICOS and ACTRIS are already ERIC RIs and SITES is involved in efforts to establish eLTER (Integrated European Long-Term Ecosystem, Critical Zone and Socio-Ecological Research Infrastructure) as an ERIC RI as well. The three national RIs are active partners within their respective ERIC consortia and collaborate with other RIs in the ESFRI environment and climate domain. All stations and the FAIR data they provide are widely used within research, earth system observation, education (students, PhD, post docs), and as test sites for new instruments and methods within academia and private-sector companies. The stations of the three RIs are also incorporated into the Copernicus services. The management structure of the RIs are closely related to developments in earth observation at European and international levels.

 

The strategic plan for enhanced cooperation between the three national RIs has a set of eight short term goals that should be achieved in the next 2-3 years. These include further enhancing co-location of measurements, integration of scientific leadership, as well as coordination of tools for accessing both the field sites and available data. This enhanced cooperation between the national networks of ACTRIS, ICOS and SITES also aims at five long terms goals.

 

• continuity of high-quality services
• strategic collaboration
• organizational optimization
• increased usage across our RIs
• fostering innovation

 

As a result of the enhanced cooperation, the RIs will achieve a new level of collaboration in observation systems for atmospheric pollution, including the effects of this pollution and climate change on ecosystems. Joint approaches to strategic development and outreach will further maximize synergies between these complementary infrastructures, giving ACTRIS, ICOS and SITES a more central, coordinated role in supporting Earth system science, and societal decision-making in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.