Aqua-flex Arena: Outdoor mesocosms

The facility

The Aqua-flex Arena is a fenced terrain (2500 m2; 80 x 32m) for performing outdoor mesoscosm experiments throughout the year, in the immediate promixity of the NIOO Aquatic Laboratories. Experiments can be performed with > 100 experimental units. There is great flexibility in the spatial set up of experimental units.

Research topics

Testing the effect of ecologically relevant factors (e.g. abiotic, biotic, dispersal limitaiton) on the community composition of aquatic organisms, such as phytoplankton, zooplankton, macroinvertbrates, macrophytes

References

• Teurlincx, S., M. Velthuis, D. Seroka, L. Govaert, E. van Donk, D.B. Van de Waal and Steven A. J. Declerck (2017). Species sorting and stoichiometric plasticity control community C:P ratio of first-order aquatic consumers. Ecology Letters 20: 751-760.

Running period (guaranteed funding)

2011 – undetermined

Equipment / facilities    

Mesocosms consist of plastic tubs (‘cattle tanks’)

Tubs of different sizes are available (180L and 500L)

On-the-spot availability of electricity, and a washing place with a tap for easy rinsing of tubs and sampling equipment

Covers with mesh available for 180L tubs to prevent aerial contamination with zooplankton

Data management 

All data is managed according to the NIOO Research data policy, which is in compliance with FAIR data guidelines. Available data sets are available through DRYAD (arising from publications) or upon request (not covered in publications).

Available datasets

N/A

Conditions for access

Outdoor mesocosm are available for collaborative research projects with AqE (NIOO-KNAW), and as such access and costs will be agreed upon by project partners.