Mesoscale Ecotron (UAntwerp, PLECO)
This Ecotron facility features 12 medium-sized units for ecosystem monoliths of 1 m² surface area and 1 m depth, making it suitable for experiments on grassland, shrubland, small to medium-sized crops, tree saplings, etc. Each unit consists of a lysimeter with lower-boundary control for soil temperature and soil matric potential, and a transparent dome on top. Air temperatures can be controlled from -2 to +12 K compared to ambient conditions, with matching changes in soil temperatures along the soil profile. Air humidity is controlled with a potential offset of up to 5 K dew point temperature with respect to the outside conditions (within limits). The CO2 concentration of the air can be increased up to 1400 ppm. Water supply (drip irrigation, water table depth) can likewise be controlled. The highly automated units are equipped to measure ecosystem processes in real-time, including water balance and greenhouse gas fluxes. Other, manual measurements are also possible through access to both the aboveground and belowground compartment of the ecosystem (e.g. photosynthesis, stomatal functioning, leaf pigments). Collaborating labs nearby on soil microbiology, plant biochemistry and molecular biology, and ecosystem biogeochemistry.
Example Projects at This Facility
Horizon Europe project IRISCC
The international IRISCC project intends to enhance societal resilience to climate change driven risks across a wide variety of sectors. UAntwerp focuses in particular on agroecological approaches to protect crops and grasslands against climate extremes such as heatwaves and drought. IRISCC provides funding for transnational access to research facilities through a series of calls. Four incoming researchers will carry out projects at the Antwerp FATI and Mesoscale Ecotron, starting from 2026.
Selected Publications
2022 — Kröel-Dulay G. et al. Field experiments underestimate aboveground biomass response to drought. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 6(5), 540–545.
2021 — Roy J., Rineau F., De Boeck H.J. et al. Ecotrons: Powerful and versatile ecosystem analysers for ecology, agronomy and environmental science. Global Change Biology, 27(7), 1387–1407.
2019 — Rineau F. et al. Towards more predictive and interdisciplinary climate change ecosystem experiments. Nature Climate Change, 9(11), 809–816.
