Potential hosts for 2025 Secondments will be posted here. Applicants are expected to contact host institutions prior to submitting an application. Host information form is available here: https://forms.gle/UzJ7ijJAbLef3Gg1A
________________________________________________________________________Potential secondment host/institution:
Silvia Caldararu ([email protected])
Trinity College Dublin
Dublin, IrelandProject description:
In the Plant Ecology Modelling group (https://plantecomodelling.org/), we build ecologically realistic ecosystem models, integrating data from a variety of sources, including manipulative experiments, monitoring networks and of course, eddy covariance data. We are actively developing the QUINCY land surface model in collaboration with groups across Europe. Current projects focus on disentangling the effects of plant ecophysiological changes and species composition shifts under environmental pressures. A potential secondment project could look at flux sites with similar climate but differing species and investigate model-data mismatch. We are happy to discuss other potential project topics as well, depending on interest.Potential project timeline:
The secondment can take place any time between June and December and can be 2-6 weeks long although longer (4-6 weeks) secondments are encouraged.
Additional Information:
We offer office space for the duration of the secondment and access to the Trinity HPC cluster if needed. We will provide training and support in the use of the QUINCY land surface model. We have weekly group meetings and during term time (September – December) there are department seminars and a journal club. We work closely together within the group, with both supervisor and peer-to-peer support available and the opportunity for further collaborations.
________________________________________________________________________
Potential secondment host/institution:
Débora Regina Roberti ([email protected])
Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil
Eddy covariance field site (if applicable):
Two different regions of Rio Grande do Sul state
Project description:
The southern region of Brazil is responsible for a significant percentage of the country’s grain and livestock production. Due to its subtropical climate, agriculture in this region appears to have a greater potential for absorbing carbon than in the tropical regions that predominate in the rest of the country. These findings are based on studies on soil organic carbon, although studies using flux towers had not been conducted until a few years ago. Recently, our research group has carried out a series of studies using flux towers in the main productive systems of the subtropical region of Brazil: wheat-soybean succession, flooded rice paddies, and livestock production in the natural pastures of the Pampa biome. Currently, we are using flux towers to compare different management practices in these production systems to identify where improvements can be made to absorb more atmospheric CO2. The results can help prevent the conversion of natural areas into new agricultural areas by intensifying and enhancing farming and livestock production in already converted areas.
Potential project timeline:
After November 2024, the duration can range between 2 to 6 weeks.
Additional Information:
We’ll provide with an office space, frequent trips to the flux tower sites and support to data analysis
________________________________________________________________________
Potential secondment host/institution:
Dr. Patrik Vestin/Dr. Jutta Holst/Dr. Tobias Biermann ([email protected]/[email protected]/[email protected])
Lund University, Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science and ICOS Sweden
Lund, Sweden
Eddy covariance field site (if applicable):
Several sites across southern Sweden
Project description:
The research interests of LUfluxes and ICOS Sweden are wide and we can offer research based on eddy covariance measurement focused on forest ecosystems and forest management (selection forestry vs. rotation forestry, forest disturbance and wetland restoration) and more recently, on the carbon capturing capacity of perennial grains vs. a comparison with the normal rotation of annual grains.
Potential project timeline:
The secondment could occur at any time during 2025, preferably for a duration of 6 weeks but shorter stays are also possible.
Additional Information:
We can offer access to two ICOS Sweden ecosystem and atmosphere stations (Norunda and Hyltemossa). The Norunda forest has been recently clear-cut, which offers a wide variety of interesting research opportunities. At the Hyltemossa site, we also operate an additional EC tower on a site that we have followed since it was clear-cut in 2014. Nearby, we also have an EC tower at the Rumperod site, a continuous cover forestry site, with ongoing measurements since 2013. In addition, we are involved in several other forest and forestry related projects in Southern Sweden. Thus, we offer ample opportunities for forest ecosystem and forestry related research interests based on existing data and ongoing measurements.
We have just started up EC measurements in two EC towers at an agricultural site close to Lund. At the agricultural site, we are investigating the climate benefits of the newly domesticated perennial grain crop Thinopyrum intermedium (intermediate wheatgrass, IWG, that produces the grain Kernza), compared to a rotation of annual crops.
At the Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, we can offer expertise and support related to micrometeorological measurements as well as expertise in remote sensing and ecosystem modelling that can be combined with the EC measurements. There are several research groups (e.g. LUfluxes) that will offer opportunities for workshops and for further collaborations in the future. The department has a research seminar series ongoing where the person visiting will be offered to hold a presentation of his/her research.
The department also offers access to a desk, network etc. as well as labs and workshops and cars that can be used for field work and research trips.
________________________________________________________________________
Potential secondment host/institution:
Ana López-Ballesteros ([email protected])
Agri-Food Research and Technology Centre of Aragon (CITA)
Zaragoza (Spain)
Eddy covariance field site (if applicable):
Two eddy covariance sites in Teruel province (Spain)
Project description:
At CITA, we manage two eddy covariance stations to evaluate the effect of thinning on the carbon and water cycles of Quercus ilex Mediterranean woodlands. At these sites we have a lot of sensors collecting data of sap flow, radiation, reflectance, soil and air meteorology, etc. Additionally, we perform regular campaigns to track soil and plant fluxes across seasons. We are particularly interested in further developing the following topics with potential recipients: application of different flux partitioning algorithms, sap flow data processing, and soil respiration modelling. However, we are open to other topics.
Potential project timeline:
The secondment period will be defined depending on the project needs and the availability of mentor and recipient.
Additional Information:
The participant will have a designated space to work in our department offices and will be able to use the lab if required as well as common spaces in the center. Additionally, a variety of instruments could be available for experimental work. The participant will be in close contact with the research assistant of the group, who manages databases and perform field work. Regular meetings will be set to plan and develop the secondment project. Our group has a wide experience in the following research areas: eddy covariance, plant and soil gas exchange, stable isotopes, ecophysiology and plant hydraulics.
________________________________________________________________________
Potential secondment host/institution:
Dr. Yusri Yusup ([email protected])
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Eddy covariance field site (if applicable):
Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies
Project description:
In our ongoing research on atmosphere-ocean interactions, we study the exchanges on the tropical coast. We hope to measure the fluxes for many years to come to gain in-depth insights into the short-term and long-term atmospheric processes of this under-studied surface. We explore these interactions using the eddy covariance method, a fast response open-path gas analyzer, and an anemometer system. We also measure meteorological parameters, such as solar radiation, temperature, relative humidity, and wind, to better understand the feedback and responses of the exchanges and their drivers. The research would benefit from new ideas on the data analysis, such as the upscaling the existing observations to a wider context and the integration of open-source data to validate the data. Visit atmosfera.usm.my for more details and to take a look at the data.
Potential project timeline:
Since the station is in operation, the secondment can occur immediately or at the time that is convenient for the participant. We believe four to six weeks are enough for the engagement.
Additional Information:
We can provide physical access to the instrumentation used and the IT infrastructure we have developed for the transfer and storage of data. We can also share the experience and knowledge gained during the instrument setup and from analysis of the data done so far.
________________________________________________________________________
Potential secondment host/institution:
Laëtitia Bréchet ([email protected])
French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE), UMR EcoFoG
Kourou, French Guiana
Project description:
Research in the Plant Ecophysiology Lab at EcoFoG focuses on carbon and water exchange at the tree and ecosystem scale. We are particularly interested in two questions: 1) how trees and forests respond to and recover from drought, and 2) how trees and soils contribute to net ecosystem greenhouse gas exchange in tropical forest ecosystems.
Our group operates a 20-year eddy covariance station, GF-Guy, an undisturbed evergreen tropical rainforest 60 km from Kourou in French Guiana. In our lab, you will learn about laboratory and in situ experiments, flux tower and chamber based gas exchange measurements, tree hydraulics and modelling of forest carbon and water exchange. Over the next three years, our research will include greenhouse gas flux measurements not only in terra firme, but also in seasonally flooded areas in French Guiana.
Potential project timeline:
Between May and December 2025, and the duration can range from 2 to 6 weeks depending on the research focus.
Additional details:
We can provide accommodation and office facilities. There will be frequent trips to the flux tower site where the secondment participant will assist with regular diagnostics, maintenance and eddy flux data downloads, and where we will assist with specific measurements that the secondment participant wishes to carry out.
My team and I can provide insight into in situ experiments, ecophysiological measurements (e.g. sap flux, gas exchange), data analysis using R and EddyPro software.
________________________________________________________________________
Potential secondment host/institution:
Mana Gharun ([email protected])
Department of Geosciences, University of Münster
Münster, Germany
Project description:
We use ecosystem-level gas exchange measurements collected with the eddy covariance technique to measure the capacity of terrestrial ecosystems (forests, peatlands, grasslands) for mitigating climate change, and understand their feedback to the climate system. We combine eddy covariance measurements with a range of observations collected at the leaf and individual plant scale to understand the underlying mechanisms that drive gas exchange processes. We use a range of modelling techniques to predict the gas exchange response of ecosystems to climate extremes such as drought and heatwaves. Currently our group is running two eddy covariance stations, including one ICOS candidate station, in peatland ecosystems in north-west Germany.
Potential project timeline:
Between April and July 2025 – duration can range between 2 to 6 weeks depending on the research topic.
Additional details:
We provide support with data analysis including insight into eddy covariance data processing and post-processing methods. We provide an office space and visits to our research sites where the secondment participant can collect own measurements, get introduced to a broad range of research topics, and strengthen collaboration.
________________________________________________________________________
Potential secondment host/institution:
Junbin Zhao ([email protected])
Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research
Ås, Norway
Eddy Covariance field site (if applicable):
Svanhovd, Norway
Project description:
We are running some experiments in a cultivated peatland in the northern Norway (within the arctic) using 30 automatic chambers to continuously monitor GHG fluxes (CO2, CH4, N2O). The project evaluates the land use practices in Norway with the aim to achieve excellent productivity and low GHG emissions.
Potential project timeline:
Between May and September. Duration is flexible from 2 to 6 weeks depending on the work.
Additional details:
We’ll support with the well established observation facilities and would expect applicant to participate in the field observation, data processing, analysis or modeling.