Promoting groundbreaking developments in mesocosm technology

Large enough to allow experiments on whole ecosystems in close to natural conditions, mesocosms are controlled and replicated experimental water enclosures. These facilities are useful in predicting effects of future environmental and anthropogenic pressures on the complex aquatic ecosystems. In this context, the EU-funded AQUACOSM-plus project represents a European network of aquatic experimental mesocosm facilities, with the mission to address the dramatic challenges aquatic ecosystems are facing. The project will work to increase competence in mesocosm science in Hungary and Romania. It will develop near-real-time open data flows and improved metadata, developing new technological capabilities for mesocosm research. Scenario testing will also be carried out for climate change-related pressures on aquatic systems from upstream fresh waters to the sea.