Brief Description
The AWI Sylt Outdoor Mesocosms (AWISOM) consists of 24 identical mesocosms, each with 1800 l sea water volume and a light-permeable cover. Each mesocosm can simulate tides and currents to recreate conditions as natural as possible for the experimental communities contained within. Furthermore, it is possible to precisely regulate temperature, carbon dioxide concentration and nutrients within each basin. A multiparameter Sonde probe continuously monitors and automatically records pH, salinity, oxygen content and temperature. The mesocosms are operated seasonally from April to October to study the influences of simulated environmental changes (IPCC climate scenarios) on species communities of the Wadden Sea. In winter, AWISOM is shut down to to protect the electronics and technology from cold-related damage. However, in addition to the 24 outdoor tanks, there are six further tanks in a large greenhouse, where it is possible to conduct experiments in winter e.g. to study the effects of warmer winters.
History
In summer 2013 a new experimental facility at the AWI Wadden Sea station was installed to simulate the influence of changing environmental conditions on benthic communities in the Wadden Sea. The first 12 mesocosms were installed as part of the BIOACID II project, and the first experiments were conducted in spring and summer 2014.
In those experiments, the impacts of global warming, ocean acidification, and increased nutrient input to the sea were investigated by exposing communities of bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus forma mytili), Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), periwinkle (Littorina littorea, Littorina mariae) and amphipods (Gammarus spp.) for 3 months to temperature, CO2 concentrations and nutrients levels that simulated predictions for 2100. Between 2015 and 2020, a number of experiments examining effects of climate change scenarios were conducted on Wadden Sea benthic communities and pelagic plankton communities sampled from the open North Sea, as well as fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus) phenotypic plasticity, mate choice and breeding success.
In spring 2021, the AWI expanded the facility to 24 mesocosms – which it christened AWISOM (‘AWI Sylt Outdoor Mesocosms’). Twelve identical mesocosms equipped with the latest technologies were added, and at the same time, the old tanks were modernised. The expanded facility allows for testing of more IPCC scenarios (i.e. more combinations of changing climate parameters) and for multiple, simultaneous users. The latest experiments investigated impacts of increasing climate variability and extreme events such as heatwaves on organism and community responses.
Contact Person:
Dr. Lisa Shama (Lisa.Shama@awi.de)
Phone: +49(4651)956-4201
(Photo: Esther Horvath)
Guidelines for user of the mesocoms (english; german)
Briefing: In order to work at the mesocosms, it is mandatory that all persons (PI's, chief scientists, postdocs as well as student assistants) familiarize themselves with the operation of the facility prior to the experiments (see operating manual). The mesocosms can only be used after instruction.
Work safety: When working within the mesocosm facility and in the entire building, appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear must be worn. Furthermore, eating and drinking are not permitted in the laboratories. The workplaces in the guest research laboratory and all common facilities (scullery, TK rooms) are to be kept in a tidy condition.
Animal Welfare: Animal welfare must be ensured throughout the mesocosm campaign. For decapods and fishes, an animal experiment permit must be obtained from the appropriate ministry prior to the start of the mesocosm campaign.
Supervision of the mesocosms: The permanent supervision of the mesocosms and the continuous monitoring of important accompanying parameters is coordinated by the responsible/collaborating AWI scientist. The chief scientist of the participating host research group or his/her officially designated deputy must be continuously on site during the measurement activities of his/her group.
In order to ensure personal safety and animal welfare, users of the mesocosms have to read the guidelines, fill out and sign the form.
Bird's eye view of the expanded AWISOM (AWI Sylt Outdoor Mesocosm Facility).
(Photo: Esther Horvath)
Six mesocosms in the greenhouse. (Photo: Esther Horvath)
Mesocosms are installed as pairs, with each pair serviced by one multiparameter measurement Sonde probe. Individual mesocosms contain heaters/chillers to precisely regulate water temperature, as well as pre-mixed gas inflows to regulate pH.
Selected publications
- Pansch A, Winde V, Asmus R and Asmus H (2016) Tidal benthic mesocosms simulating future climate change scenarios in the field of marine ecology. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods. doi: 10.1002/lom3.10086
Fuxjager L, Wanzenböck S, Ringler E, Wegner KM, Ahnelt H and Shama LNS (2019) Within-generation and transgenerational plasticity of mate choice in oceanic stickleback under climate change. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society 374: 20180183. doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2018.0183
- Moreno HD, Köring M, Di Pane J, Tremblay N, Wiltshire KH, Boersma M and Meunier CL (2022). An integrated multiple driver mesocosm experiment reveals the effect of global change on planktonic food web structure. Communications Biology. DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03105-5