The Hydrological Open Air Laboratory (HOAL) in Petzenkirchen: a hypothesis-driven observatory

摘要: Abstract. Hydrological observatories bear a lot of resemblance to the more traditional research catchment concept, but tend differ in providing long-term facilities that transcend lifetime individual projects, are strongly geared towards performing interdisciplinary research, and often designed as networks assist collaborative science. This paper illustrates how experimental monitoring set-up an observatory, 66 ha Open Air Laboratory (HOAL) Petzenkirchen, Lower Austria, has been established way allows meaningful hypothesis testing. The overarching science questions guided site selection, identification dissertation topics base monitoring. specific hypotheses dedicated sampling, experiments, repeated experiments with controlled boundary conditions. purpose HOAL is advance understanding water-related flow transport processes involving sediments, nutrients microbes small catchments. ideally suited for this purpose, because it features range different runoff generation (surface runoff, springs, tile drains, wetlands), nutrient inputs known, convenient from logistic point view all instruments can be connected power grid high-speed glassfibre local area network (LAN). multitude mechanisms provides genuine laboratory where tested, either by or contrasting sub-regions characteristics. diversity also ensures representative catchments around world, process findings applicable variety agricultural settings. operated jointly Vienna University Technology Federal Agency Water Management takes advantage Doctoral Programme on Resource Systems funded Austrian Science Funds. presents strategy discusses implementation HOAL, gives examples testing summarises lessons learned. concludes outlook future developments.