Rothamsted Research publishes booklet on 20 years of ECN measurements

The UK Environmental Change Network, Rothamsted. Physical and Atmospheric Measurements: The First 20 years describes some of the long-term measurements that have been made at the site, and presents results from 20 years of monitoring. It focuses on meteorological measurements, particularly temperature and rainfall trends, and on atmospheric, soil solution and surface water chemistry.

Rothamsted Research was established as an agricultural research centre by John Bennet Lawes and Joseph Henry Gilbert in 1843. It is home to the oldest continuing agricultural field experiments in existence. These “Classical Experiments” are now a National Capability supported jointly by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Lawes Agricultural Trust. Eight of the Classical Experiments continue today. Two of the best known of these are the Park Grass Hay Experiment (est. 1856) and the Broadbalk Wheat Experiment (est. 1843).

Scott describes several observed changes to the environment at Rothamsted since the ECN was established over 20 years ago, including climatic trends, extremes of temperature and rainfall, gradual recovery from acidification due to sulphate deposition and a decrease in nitrogen concentration.

Further information

• Download publication
• Reference: Scott, T., Macdonald, A and Goulding, K. (2014). The UK Environmental Change Network, Rothamsted. Physical and Atmospheric Measurements: The First 20 years. 32 pp. Lawes Agricultural Trust. ISBN 978 0 9564424 0 6
• Rothamsted ECN site
• Rothamsted Research
• BBSRC
• Rothamsted's own ECN pages