Challenges in coupling atmospheric electricity with biological systems

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Atmospheric Science
• Ecology

Background:

• The Earth's atmosphere possesses a complex electrical environment, including global electric circuits, lightning, and ions.
• Organismal interactions with electrical environments are well-studied in aquatic settings, but terrestrial research has focused on local phenomena.
• Emerging evidence suggests coupling between atmospheric electricity and biological processes in terrestrial ecosystems, potentially linked to continental waters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize current understanding of the connectivity between atmospheric electricity and biological processes.
• To discuss how atmospheric electricity impacts biological organization across diverse ecosystems.
• To identify research opportunities and challenges in this interdisciplinary field.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research.
• Analysis of studies on atmospheric electricity and biological responses.
• Identification of interdisciplinary connections and knowledge gaps.

Main Results:

• Atmospheric electricity affects various levels of biological organization.
• Connections exist between large- and small-scale atmospheric electrical phenomena and terrestrial biology.
• Evidence suggests links between atmospheric electricity and continental water systems.

Conclusions:

• The relationship between atmospheric electricity and biological systems is complex and multifaceted.
• Further interdisciplinary research is needed to fully understand these interactions.
• Conceptual and technical challenges must be addressed for future advancements.