New measuring tower in the Lünten Forest: research into climate impact started!

New measuring tower in the Lünten Forest: research into climate impact started!

The Westphalia-Lippe Regional Association (LWL), in collaboration with the University of Münster, has built a new measuring tower in the Lünten Forest in the Borken district. With a height of around 30 meters, the tower is intended to make a decisive contribution to research into the climatic effects of rewetting measures. Dr. Georg Lunemann, director of the LWL, and other project partners visited this innovative tower, which is part of a unique research project in the climate and biodiversity-oriented Ammeloe forestry estate.

The main goal of the project is the long-term measurement and evaluation of the climatic effects in a heavily drained forest area. The region is characterized by Ice Age sand dunes, moist heathland and boggy depressions. This project aims to gradually transform the Lünten Forest into a natural moor forest with a high level of biodiversity. This includes raising groundwater levels by approximately 40 centimeters to restore valuable wetland habitats.

Technology and methodology

The measuring tower will be equipped with highly sensitive sensors that record data on carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor and other climate-relevant variables at a frequency of ten times per second. The eddy covariance method used allows precise and continuous recording of the gas exchange between the forest and the atmosphere. This method is based on the theory that vertical flows of droplets and particles in air created by turbulence are crucial for measuring energy, water and trace gas exchange reports that the method allows direct measurement of energy, water and trace gas exchanges.

In addition to measuring greenhouse gases in the forest unit, the tower will also record wind speed, humidity, radiation, precipitation, and soil parameters such as temperature and humidity. The results promise a valuable contribution to scientific discussion and should be documented in international specialist publications. The project is unique in the world because it examines both the conditions before and after rewetting.

Scientific support and goals

Scientific support is provided by the LWL Museum of Natural History and the Institute for Landscape Ecology at the University of Münster. The data generated by this project is not only important for the region, but could also have far-reaching implications for global climate research. The focus is particularly on documenting the CO₂ storage capacity of the renatured forest.

With the new measuring tower in the Lünten Forest, LWL and the University of Münster are setting an important milestone in environmental research and climate science. This initiative not only promotes local biodiversity, but also creates a valuable space for experiences and insights in dealing with the challenges of climate change.