Collaborative Use of Sensor Networks and Cyberinfrastructure to Understand Complex Ecosystem Interactions in a
Philip W Rundel1, Thomas C Harmon2, Angel S Fernandez-Bou2,3
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 25, 2023
Summary
Ecosystem ecologists and engineers developed advanced models for tracking biogeochemical fluxes. This research utilized canopy towers and soil sensors in a Costa Rican rainforest to study carbon dioxide and oxygen fluxes.
Area of Science:
- Ecosystem ecology
- Environmental engineering
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Interdisciplinary collaborations between ecologists and engineers advance complex ecosystem modeling.
- Nested data streams from local, network, and remote sensing sources enhance real-time ecosystem observation.
- Tropical rainforests present unique challenges for ecological research due to extreme environmental conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe research experiences and challenges in a Costa Rican rainforest ecosystem over two decades.
- To present an integrated ecosystem research program using advanced sensor networks.
- To highlight key components of ecosystem research, including eddy flux, soil flux, and the impact of ecosystem engineers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized canopy towers for eddy flux measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2).
- Deployed belowground soil sensor arrays to monitor spatial and temporal soil-atmosphere CO2 and O2 fluxes.
- Investigated the ecosystem impact of leaf-cutter ants as ecosystem engineers on carbon fluxes.
Main Results:
- Established a multi-level integration program for ecosystem research.
- Developed methods to overcome challenges of high humidity, rainfall, and biological interference in tropical ecosystems.
- Generated data streams from diverse sensors via fiber optic cable for off-site analysis.
Conclusions:
- Interdisciplinary approaches are crucial for advancing ecosystem science and modeling.
- Advanced sensor technologies and integrated networks enable novel ecological insights.
- Understanding the role of "ecosystem engineers" like leaf-cutter ants is vital for carbon flux research.
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