25 years of CO₂ flux measurements in Davos: a short film portrait

Mana Gharun, you were involved with the CO₂ flux measurements in Davos for over three years. What was your task as Principal Investigator at the measurement station?

Mana Gharun: As site PI I was in charge of making sure all data collection is running smoothly. I analysed and interpreted measurements, communicated results with the scientific community, facilitated collaboration and project development, remained active in national and cross-national initiatives, and lead site visits for outreach and education purposes. The PI collaborates closely with all members of the station team to make sure these tasks are completed properly.
 

What do you think is the significance of the data collected in Davos for the European research community?

Mana Gharun: Measurements in Davos are significant for many reasons. The site is a unique observation point in the cohort of flux sites across Europe due to its high altitude and low winter temperatures, and we observe a spruce forest at its natural habitat, and not planted in the lowlands. It is with sites like Davos that we can push the boundary climatic and site conditions in our observations and provide more robust nature-based solutions to climate change.

What does the ICOS label mean to the project?

Mana Gharun: ICOS means harmonized and standardized observations, and the label means that the greenhouse gas measurements are collected with the highest quality and following protocols that have been tested, agreed on, and established by the scientific community over the last decades.

You are now a junior professor in biosphere-atmosphere interaction at the faculty of Geosciences at the University of Münster, Germany. What do you take away from the time working in Davos?

Mana Gharun: The project was an excellent opportunity to work in a large consortium with active members from all over Europe, and to develop collaboration and friendship with many excellent scientists and leaders in the field.
Davos is a site of research but also a site of teaching and exciting cooperation which I will continue to include in my future teaching and research program. What I take from my time in Davos is the understanding of many challenges and rewards in ecosystem greenhouse gas measurements, and certainly the recognition of the value that lies in collecting high-quality long-term observations within a larger network.