Field Update from the Wetlands

This week, our team conducted a quick check-in at our research sites along the Narew, Rospuda, and Biebrza Rivers. From dawn until dusk, we verified the performance of our automated flux chambers, which are equipped with solar panels and sensors measuring CH₄ and CO₂ emissions.

We’re pleased to report that all systems are running smoothly—no curious moose or deer have tampered with the chambers this time! However, one concerning observation was the exceptionally low water levels in the Biebrza and Narew rivers—mirroring similar conditions we recently encountered in Austria.

Despite the drought conditions, our chambers continue to operate, capturing high-resolution spatiotemporal data on greenhouse gas fluxes from river-floodplains. This will be crucial once the floodwaters return, helping us better understand how hydrology shapes carbon dynamics in these sensitive ecosystems.

On a lighter note, the only wildlife encounter this time was a curious fox quietly observing us from a distance.