EuroSOMNET (European Soil Organic Matter Network)

Funded by the European Commission ENRICH programme (ENV4-CT97-0434)

Report of first EuroSOMNET meeting

Held at Rothamsted on 5-6^th February 1998

Present:

Pete Smith - Rothamsted
Jackie Potts - Rothamsted
Martin Korschens - UFZ-Bad Lauchstadt
Uwe Franko - UFZ-Bad Lauchstadt
Lyudmila Shevtsova - VIUA-Moscow
Vladimir Romanenkov - VIUA-Moscow
Pete Falloon - Rothamsted (part)
David Powlson - Rothamsted (part)

Also send to:

N Milashenko - VIUA-Moscow
Jo Smith - Rothamsted

Reports of current status and progress were presented by Rothamsted, UFZ and VIUA. Rothamsted presented overview of current GCTE SOMNET participants in Europe and demonstrated SOMNET and ERA database systems. There are currently 42 experiments and 18 models in Europe (western and eastern Europe including former Soviet Union). The metadata for all of these sites is available but actual datasets exist in common format for only 7 of these. UFZ presented research from German and east European network. There are currently 10 German long-term experiments in SOMNET but there are over 80 (over 20 years old) in total. A number of these are likely to join the EuroSOMNET programme. VIUA presented details of the site network in the former Soviet Union. Sites that have so far been identified for participation are in Russia (15), Ukraine (12), Georgia (1), Belarus (4) and Moldova (4). Many other experiments exist (e.g. an estimated 220 in Russia) and it may be possible to solicit participation from these further sites. Specimen metadata has already been collected by VIUA by standard SOMNET questionnaire from all Ukranian sites and a Russian site. Summaries were also provided. A specimen dataset (in standard format) was prepared for one Russian site.

2) Data to be collected :

Metadata will be collected using the standard SOMNET questionnaires. In addition a detailed description of all analytical methods (total C, total N, biomass C etc.) will be requested as will a drawing of the experimental plots showing layout and treatments. Metadata from all experiments and models will be included in the database and will be available for free access. In addition, actual datasets will be collected. Currently 8 European datasets exist in standard format. The dataholders from these sites will be contacted to ask if they wish their data to be included for access by network members. In return they will receive access to the datasets of other members. In addition, certain data (deemed confidential by the dataholder, e.g. so far unpublished results) will be further password protected so that it is only available with the express permission of the dataholder. In the future we may also wish to collect one page summaries of research that is relevant to the effects of global environmental change on SOM but that is not long-term (e.g. increased temperature / CO₂ experiments in the laboratory or field). Interested parties with this type of data should be encouraged to submit such summaries for possible database inclusion later in the project.

3) Database construction :

Because of hardware and Internet access limitations in Russia it will not be possible to provide an online database in Moscow at present. However, all data from all EuroSOMNET regions will be loaded at each sits (Rothamsted, UFZ and VIUA). VIUA will therefore have a stand-alone version of the database (stored as text files) whilst Internet accessible databases (stored as CSV files) will be mounted at Rothamsted and UFZ. This will provide two mirror sites with the ability for VIUA to establish a mirror site when the technology becomes available. Jackie Potts (Rothamsted) and Uwe Franko (UFZ) will work together to ensure that CSV files produced by Rothamsted will be compatible with the new UFZ system. A new DOS/Windows based version of the metadata-data entry program may be required and Jackie Potts and Uwe Franko will also work together on this. Metadata will be freely available to anyone. Actual datasets will be available to network members only and will be password protected.

A new standard format for actual data is required and Uwe Franko (UFZ) agreed to draft a standard format document for discussion by the EuroSOMNET co- ordinating group. He aims to complete a draft in the next few months to allow at least one dataset from each region to be organised into standard format but 1^st August 1998. The new format will contain all information provided by the existing format but will also allow other details to be entered. A DOS based front-end for data entry would be desirable and the feasibility will be examined by Uwe Franko.

4) Administrative details :

Money will be paid to UFZ and VIUA from Rothamsted by bank transfer (if possible) and a formal request for transfer details was provided to UFZ and VIUA by Rothamsted.

5) Tasks to completed by November 1998 :

All partners to collect metadata on sites so far identified and mount existing data on databases. All partners to collect at least one actual dataset for inclusion in the database by 1^st August 1998. Rothamsted to establish list server by November 1998. Current SOMNET members in Europe to be contacted to ask if they wish to contribute a) current metadata to EuroSOMNET, b) to update current metadata, and c) if they wish to provide actual data in standard format. Each partner to prepare 5- 6 page summary of this years work for annual report in early October 1998.

6) Next meeting :

Provisional date of next meeting (4 days) is June 1999 to be hosted by VIUA- Moscow.

Pete Smith, EuroSOMNET Co-ordinator, 6^th February 1998.