Grassland drought experimental site Bílý Kříž

Overview

Open-air Platform

Parent institution: Global Change Research Institute, CAS
Active since 2006
Active through 2006-present

Fields of study

  • Isotopic chemistry
  • Climatology, Climate Change
  • Environmental sciences, Pollution
  • Soil science
  • Terrestrial biology, Ecology
  • Other
  • Plant physiology

Contact Information

Holub, Petr
email: holub.p@czechglobe.cz

Operation of the facility started in 2006 when the first experiment was established. The Experiment 1 (Exp. 1) was established to quantify the effects of different amounts of rainfall on above- and below-ground production and nitrogen uptake and nitrogen mineralization (2006­-2010). The Experiment 2 (Exp. 2) was established to observe the combined effect of drought and UV-radiation on morphological, production and physiological parameters of selected plant species of mountain grassland (2011-2014). The experiment 3 (Exp. 3) was established in 2017 to quantify the effect of drought in combination with warming and land use (mulching).

 

The Location

Country: Czech Republic

Latitude: 49.495

Longitude: 18.54472

Nearest town: Frýdek-Místek/Staré Hamry

Distance from neaerst town: 40/13 km

Relevant Research Questions

The infrastructure is focused on drought experiments combined with other factors such as UV radiation, warming or land use. The main objectives of these experiments are to investigate and compare the drought and interactions with other factors in grassland ecosystem in the point of view of future climate scenarios.

Advantages

Close connection to Experimental station Bílý Kříž (glass domes for CO2 fumigation experiments) and ICOS ecosystem station Bílý Kříž. Possibility of accommodation in facilities of the Global Change Research Institute close to the site.

 

Limitations

Relatively limited space for extension of experiments. The relatively large distance from laboratory facilities of Global Change Research Institute in Brno (ca 205 km).

Experimental Capabilities

Experimental Facilities

We plan construct automatic chambers for respiration and photosynthesis measurements.

Experiments duration: Months, Years;

Experimental Aerea

Total area: 135 m²

Available area: 135 m²

Experimental Unit Size

unit size: 15 m²

Available area for new experiments depends on the type of manipulation.

Replicates

Replicates number: 3

Temporary storage

  • Drying oven
  • Liquid N
  • Refrigerator

Available Instruments

  • LiCor Li-6400 (photosynthesis and fluorescence system)
  • PAM 2500 (chlorophyll fluorometer)
  • LiCor LAI 2200 (plant canopy analyzer)
  • FluorPen (chlorophyll fluorescence)
  • FieldSpec 4 HiRes (spectroradiometer)
  • LiCor Li-6200 (soil respiration)
  • SPAD (chlorophyll content)
  • Psychrometric water potential system Wescor
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

Spot Measured

  • Fluorescence
  • Population densities
  • Species richness

Environmental Pressures

Variable Ecosystem Status
Warming Grassland Active
Precip Grassland Active
Management - Nutrients (levels or nutrient type) Grassland Planned
Management - other Grassland Planned

On site Staff and Accomodation

Peak season staff

Up to 10 people

Off season staff

Up to 2 people

Visiting personnel

Up to 30 visitors


Bedrooms available

Up to 15 beds

Showers on site

Showers on site

No laundry on site