With the construction of twenty experimental ditches human impact on ecosystems can be studied under controllable but real-field situations and natural conditions. The facility allows for ecotoxicological experiments and eutrophication research. The plant has been designed with maximum flexibility for future studies. Meteorological data are recorded in an automatic weather station of Campbell Scientific Ltd (Shepshed, Leicestershire, U.K.). Acidity, oxygen concentration and water temperature are measured continuously in the ditches with sensors of WTW (Weilheim, Germany). The data are retrieved from a datalogger system using personal computers provided with modems and specific software. The experiments in the ditches are in full progress and the results will be published separately.
