Cultivation Domes

Bily Kriz

Overview

Open-air Platform

Parent institution: Global Change Research Institute
Active since 1997
Active through May-November

Co-located with

  • ICOS
  • Emphasis

Fields of study

  • Atmospheric chemistry and physics
  • Isotopic chemistry
  • Climatology, Climate Change
  • Environmental sciences, Pollution
  • Soil science
  • Terrestrial biology, Ecology
  • Other
  • Plant Physiology
  • Forestry

Contact Information

Urban, Otmar
email: urban.o@czechglobe.cz

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email:

Domes with adjustable windows (established in 1997) represent a technological approach for in situ investigation of long-term impacts of elevated CO2 on juvenile trees/forests characterized by an intense community level and canopy closure phase. Lamellar windows are constructed from UV-transparent poly-acrylic material closing from the windward side to safe CO2 consumption. The windows can automatically close during the rainy days to investigate drought effect (multi-factorial experiments). Air-conditioning device ensures to keep an ambient temperature. Fumigation with elevated CO2 (700 ppm) is provided during the vegetation season (May-October).

The Location

Country: Czech Republic

Latitude: 49.502434

Longitude: 18.538926

Nearest town: Frýdek-Místek

Distance from neaerst town: 40 km

Relevant Research Questions

Long-term multifactorial effects (elevated CO2, UV, drought, mineral nutrition supply etc.) on tree saplings grown in small (10 x 10 m) stand, i.e. including the mutual interactions among trees. Physiological processes, growth/morphology, changes in metabolic composition are investigated.

Advantages

multifactorial experiments are available; complex measurement of environmental characteristics according ICOS protocols; electricity available; relatively low operation costs (low CO2 consumption); high elevation (ca 900 m a.s.l.)

Limitations

The facility has one dome with ambient and one dome with elevated CO2 concentration are available; experiments during winter time are unavailable or very limited.

Experimental Capabilities

Experimental Facilities

Experimental roofs (shelters) enabling manipulation of an incoming precipitation, an intensity/spectrum of incident solar radiation, and an emissions of long-wave thermal radiation (manipulation of air temperature) and their mutual interactions.

Experiments duration: Months, Weeks, Years;

Experimental Aerea

Total area: 200 m²

100m2 ambient CO2 in total, 100 m2 elevated CO2 in total

Available area: 0 m²

Experimental Unit Size

unit size: 10 m²

Replicates

Replicates number: 1

Each dome is separated into three parts where the trees/treatments are replicated.

Temporary storage

  • Dark room
  • Drying oven
  • Freezer
  • Liquid N
  • Refrigerator

Available Instruments

  • gas-exchange analysers
  • fluorometers (incl. cameras)
  • spectroradiometers
  • leaf-water potential
  • absorption traps for volatile compounds
  • leaf area meter
  • instruments for in vivo measurements of chlorophylls and flavonoids
  • canopy analyser
  • thermal camera
  • Sampling techniques for consequent biochemical analyses
Electricity

Electricity available on site.

Distance from Laboratory facilities

Climate

Years measured: 25

Temperature

Mean Temperature: 6.7 °C

February Mean Temperature: -2.5 °C

July Mean Temperature: 14.5 °C

Wind

Mean Annual Speed: 2.5 m/s

Max. Annual Speed: m/s

Dominant Direction: South-North

Precipitation

Precipitation type: Both;

Total annual precipitation: 1470 mm

Mean snow cover duration: days


Soil Types

State Variables

Continuously Measured

  • Air humidity
  • Air temperature
  • Atmospheric pressure
  • Canopy temperature
  • Incident PAR
  • Incident shortwave radiation
  • Soil temperature
  • Soil water content
  • Other
  • Global Radiation
  • UV Radiation

Spot Measured

  • Fluorescence
  • Phenology
  • Population densities
  • Species richness

Environmental Pressures

Variable Ecosystem Status
CO2 Forest Active
Warming Forest Active
Precip Forest Active
UV Forest Active
Management - Nutrients (levels or nutrient type) Forest Active
Management - species and/or ecotype combinations Forest Active
Pests Forest Active
Biodiversity Forest Planned
Shrubland

On site Staff and Accomodation

Peak season staff

Up to 10 people

Off season staff

Up to 2 people

Visiting personnel

Up to 15 visitors


Bedrooms available

Up to 15 beds

Showers on site

Showers on site

No laundry on site