We are happy to introduce you to the Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology (LIAE) and SITES, the Swedish Infrastructure for Ecosystem Science, as new members in Nordic Testbed Network.
The Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology (LIAE) located in Riga, is a public research institute, an agency of Daugavpils University, making use of digital solutions such as smart buoys, satellites and drones to collect and analyse data about the blue bioeconomy.
SITES, the Swedish Infrastructure for Ecosystem Science is a national infrastructure for terrestrial and limnological field research, aiming to promote high-quality research through long-term field measurements and field experiments, and by making data from these activities openly available.
We got the chance to ask Anda Ikauniece (LIAE), as well as Stefan Bertilsson and Blaize Denfeld (SITES) some questions.
In the context of the digital bioeconomy, what issues do you see as the most important going forward?
Anda Ikauniece, LIAE:
– In the marine digital bioeconomy the resource extraction could be the most complicated part. Therefore, the development of a true digital twin of the sea would be a way forward. At the sea, the conditions are often harsh and even the most robust systems do suffer from nature’s strength. So, the other alternative could be securing truly reliable data transfers – both via software and deployed equipment.
Stefan Bertilsson, SITES:
– Broadly, the development of knowledge-based best practices in forestry, agriculture and aquacultures, require research, open sharing of data and technical advancements. Innovation and socioeconomic development which recognise the connectivity of systems and optimise their use and management are of central importance. Agricultural practices should for example go beyond merely supplying food to a growing population, but also consider climate change resilience, biodiversity and other key ecosystem services. Similar considerations need to be made in long-term sustainable forestry efforts.
What would you like to contribute to the network?
Anda Ikauniece, LIAE:
– At present we can provide information on themes relevant for marine (digital) bioeconomy – mostly on environmental challenges and perspectives. We would be happy to provide a possibility to test new methodologies in marine conditions or in related “terrestrial-aquatic” systems.
Blaize Denfeld, SITES:
– SITES research stations, which span agricultural land, forests and inland waters across Sweden, provide a testbed where new digital knowledge and technology can be developed. SITES is a forum and platform for integrative ecosystem science bringing together academia and various stakeholders by offering an infrastructure for field measurements and manipulation experiments and access to openly available ecosystem data.