MOSES: A Novel Observation System to Monitor Dynamic Events Across Earth Compartments
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MOSES (Modular Observation Solutions for Earth Systems) is a novel observation system that is specifically designed to unravel the impact of distinct, dynamic events on the long-term development of environmental systems. Hydro-meteorological extremes such as the recent European droughts or the floods of 2013 caused severe and lasting environmental damage. Modelling studies suggest that abrupt permafrost thaw events accelerate Arctic greenhouse gas emissions. Short-lived ocean eddies seem to comprise a significant share of the marine carbon uptake or release. Although there is increasing evidence that such dynamic events bear the potential for major environmental impacts, our knowledge on the processes they trigger is still very limited. MOSES aims at capturing such events, from their formation to their end, with high spatial and temporal resolution. As such, the observation system extends and complements existing national and international observation networks, which are mostly designed for long-term monitoring. Several German Helmholtz Association centers have developed this research facility as a mobile and modular “system of systems” to record energy, water, greenhouse gas and nutrient cycles on the land surface, in coastal regions, in the ocean, in polar regions, and in the atmosphere – but especially the interactions between the Earth compartments. During the implementation period (2017-2021), the measuring systems were put into operation and test campaigns were performed to establish event-driven campaign routines. With MOSES’ regular operation starting in 2022, the observation system will then be ready for cross-compartment and cross-discipline research on the environmental impacts of dynamic events.
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AWI Organizations > Geosciences > (deprecated) Junior Research Group: Permafrost
AWI Organizations > Geosciences > Marine Geochemistry
AWI Organizations > Geosciences > Permafrost Research
AWI Organizations > Infrastructure > Operations and Research Platforms
Helmholtz Research Programs > CHANGING EARTH (2021-2027) > PT4:Coastal Transition Zones under Natural and Human Pressure > ST4.1: Fluxes and transformation of energy and matter in and across compartments
Helmholtz Research Programs > CHANGING EARTH (2021-2027) > PT4:Coastal Transition Zones under Natural and Human Pressure > ST4.2: Coastal Ecosystem Sustainability against the backdrop of natural and anthropogenic drivers
Helmholtz Research Programs > CHANGING EARTH (2021-2027) > PT5:Dynamics of the Terrestrial Environment and Freshwater Resources under Global and Climate Change > ST5.3: Natural dynamics of the terrestrial Earth surface system
Helmholtz Research Programs > CHANGING EARTH (2021-2027) > PT6:Marine and Polar Life: Sustaining Biodiversity, Biotic Interactions, Biogeochemical Functions > ST6.1: Future ecosystem functionality
Arctic Mainland > Svalbard > Bayelva
Arctic Mainland > Canadian Arctic
Arctic Mainland > Russian Arctic > Lena Delta
Arctic Mainland > Svalbard
Other types > Scientific Diving
Stations > AWIPEV
Stations > AWIPEV Permafrost Observatory Bayelva
Stations > Samoylov
Stations > Samoylov Permafrost Observatory
Vessels > Mya II
Vessels > Uthörn
Arctic Land Expeditions > NO-Land_2021_Bayelva