For a better understanding of environmental systems and their reactions to climate change as well as anthropogenic impacts, observation data for all spatial and temporal scales covering terrestrial water and material cycles are necessary. In Baden-Württemberg, on the one hand, there are field sites that are operated by universities within the framework of research projects. On the other hand, the State Institute for the Environment, Measurements and Nature Conservation of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg (LUBW) collects long-term monitoring data. By means of a coordinated observation network, better collaboration of both sides on issues in environmental research should be achieved.
The workshop was attended by about 20 representatives from universities, authorities and further institutions in Baden-Württemberg. In his introduction to the subject, Dr. Laurent Pfister (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology) gave a keynote on experience with the operation of a long-term monitoring network at the interface between research institutes and governmental authorities in Luxembourg. Subsequently, Burkhard Schneider, head of the department water of the LUBW, presented the monitoring network in Baden-Württemberg. After an introduction to the measuring areas of the universities, joint research issues as well as opportunities for cooperation were discussed.
The discussion focused on monitoring of short-term events (keyword 'Storm Chasing'), involvement of the population in data collection (keyword 'Citizen Science'), the agreement on relevant monitoring parameters, the use of tracers in the environment and the improvement of database for geochemistry and land use.
The workshop was organized by the Institute of Water and River Basin Management, Hydrology of the KIT.
Scientific committee:
Dr. Sibylle Haßler (contact), Prof. Dr. Erwin Zehe (KIT, Institute of Water and River Basin Management, Hydrology)
Prof. Dr. Jens Lange, Prof. Dr. Markus Weiler (University of Freiburg, Chair of Hydrology)
Origin of photos (from left to right): gauge in the Black Forest (© U. Scherer), Weiherbach (© U. Scherer), Ammer in Pfäffingen (© M. Schwientek), Bühlot basin (© U. Ehret); group photo (© S. Scherer).
