Introducing the Leibniz Science Campus “Smoke and bioaerosols: Release, processes, and impacts in a changing climate”

The interactions of different components of the Earth system, such as between the biosphere and the atmosphere, are still poorly understood. A major issue is understanding the consequences of increasing wildfire  activity in a changing climate. Smoke particles and gases emitted from such fires affect air quality and the Earth’s radiation balance, and can potentially affect the formation of clouds and precipitation. Understanding links between biodiversity and type of vegetation, smoke emission and the atmospheric distribution and processing of these particles and gases is key for assessing potential impacts and future changes. Addressing the depth of processes in the interconnected atmosphere-climate-vegetation system requires a combination of expertise from various scientific disciplines. The new Leibniz ScienceCampus “Smoke and bioaerosols: Release, processes, and impacts in a changing climate” (BioSmoke) located in Leipzig, Germany will combine expertise in atmospheric and biodiversity research as well as atmospheric processes at several research institutions including the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research and Leipzig University to study effects of the release of aerosol particles from vegetation. To this end, combustion experiments in the laboratory, field measurements of aerosol properties, and remote sensing and modelling of particle emission, transport, and atmospheric effects are envisioned. We will present an overview of the planned projects within the ScienceCampus.