1st generation prototype still collecting data

Since 2016, an early SkyLine2D prototype has been deployed by researchers from the University of York at a key experimental site operated by the University of Gothenburg.

A recent broadcast has shown what an important contribution our technology is making at ‘keeping it in the ground’.

Watch Klimatbomben, a documentary on SVT (Sweden’s national public broadcaster) which includes SkyLine2D at Skogaryd.

As we approach the launch of our first production model, it was great to be reminded of the work that some of our earlier SkyLine2D prototypes are still doing.

Since 2016, one early prototype – one of the Magic Roundabout series named Brian (if you don’t know your cultural references from 1970s kids TV check this out) – that was built at the University of York at has been in operational at a key environmental research site in Sweden. The Skogaryd Research Catchment is managed and operated by the University of Gothenburg but welcomes a number of international researchers to contribute to long term ecological research undertaken at this important site.

Having originally measured carbon dioxide and methane fluxes for three seasons at a mire site (or was it a fen, Ben….), SkyLine2D revealed the impact of a drought year on different ecotypes within this variable landscape. For more details, see the recent paper by Ben Keane and others (Carbon Dioxide and Methane Flux Response and Recovery From Drought in a Hemiboreal Ombrotrophic Fen. Keane JB et al. (2021) Front. Earth Sci. 8:562401. doi: 10.3389/feart.2020.562401XYZ).

The same system has now been deployed at a clear fell site which will soon be re-flooded in the wetland restoration project featured in this Swedish documentary. Our Swedish isn’t the best (beyond ordering a beer and pizza, perhaps) but we still took pleasure in hearing Dr Åsa Kasimir talk about the important work being done at Skogaryd and see SkyLine2D featured.

We are excited to be close to our first product launch, but this really brings to mind how the work of EarthBound Scientific Ltd is placed within the wider societal need for better management of soils for climate, and to help at ‘keeping it in the ground’.