Two experimental platforms (Aquatic Metratron and PLANAQUA) provide the possibility for scientists to study ecosystems in artificial environments or controlled in situ environments.

Both platforms have procedures in place to provide support to all external users, who will have access to the range of available laboratories, office space and instruments as well as lodging on site. Users will benefit from support provided by permanent staff to assist with technical advice and purchase of consumables, and the adaptation and further development of equipment and instruments based on agreements made before the beginning of an experiment. All external users will receive support in terms of planning of activities before and after arrival as well as hands-on training by the local scientific and technical staff.

The AQUATIC METATRON hosts (1) a lentic platform with 144 basins that can be connected to each other to allow for the dispersal of aquatic organisms and with a capacity to simulate temperature variation accurately and independently, and (2) a lotic platform with 12 artificial rivers. Outdoor mesocosms are equipped with a range of sensors and can be monitored with a range of mobile and laboratory instruments. Breeding rooms are available to host laboratory populations of small invertebrates (e.g. gammarids) and small freshwater fish species including non-model organisms (e.g., minnows, mosquitofish etc.).

For more information, see the Aquatic Metatron webpage.

PLANAQUA includes a range of >80 outdoor mesocosms of various sizes (1-15 m3) and shapes. Among those, 12 mesocosms (15 m3 each) have wave generators to control water turbulence and 14 have a powerful warming system to control water temperature.

For more information, see the PLANAQUA webpage.