The Institute for Global Change Research CAS – CzechGlobe has officially become the seat of the Interface and Synthesis Centre (ISC) within the European Research Infrastructure AnaEE – ERIC (Analysis and Experimentation on Ecosystems). This is based on the signing of an Host agreement between the Institute for Global Change Research CAS – CzechGlobe and the AnaEE – ERIC consortium. This marked the culmination of almost ten years implementation of AnaEE infrastructure providing tools for experimental studies of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in Europe, and the preparation of a centre that will contribute to the integration and synthesis of data in the field of environmental research.
One of the main ambitions of the AnaEE-ERIC consortium is to understand how different factors contribute to global climate change. With AnaEE-ERIC experimental facilities, scientists can simulate a wide range of environmental changes, such as changes in land use, pollution, the spread of invasive species, rising greenhouse gas concentrations or sudden episodes of drought or high temperatures. This allows them to test the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, whether it is food production and quality, renewable energy production, water retention in the landscape, provision of drinking water sources, non-productive functions including biodiversity conservation, cooling functions in the landscape, or the role of ecosystems in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by storing carbon.
With sufficiently robust experimental datasets, AnaEE-ERIC develops technologies and know-how in the field of ecosystem sciences, creating strategies for adaptation and mitigation of the adverse effects of climate change on food production while contributing to the promotion of the European bio-economy.
The newly established ISC will be responsible for the overall integration of the results of the whole AnaEE-ERIC consortium. It will prepare position papers, continuously monitor and respond to the emerging needs of society, the economy and policy makers. Its portfolio will also include training and outreach.
During the signing ceremony of the Host agreement, Prof. Michal V. Marek, who presented CzechGlobe’s involvement in the European Research Infrastructures ESFRI (European Strategic Forum for Research Infrastructures) with emphasis on the cooperation within AnaEE-ERIC. Dr. Michel Boër – Director of the AnaEE-ERIC research infrastructure presented the main mission and activities of AnaEE-ERIC. Dr. Karel Klem introduced the involvement of the Czech Republic in AnaEE-ERIC activities, key experimental and analytical platforms included in AnaEE-ERIC and the planned activities of the ISC. Dr. Lenka Bartošová presented websites operating within CzechGlobe which can potentially be further extended within the ISC activities to the territory of AnaEE-ERIC member countries or otherwise transformed for AnaEE-ERIC needs.
