ICOS National Networks

Forming the backbone of ICOS Research Infrastructure, the Station Networks consist of atmosphere and ecosystem stations across Europe and marine stations covering the North Atlantic and European marginal seas.

At the moment, ICOS Station Networks have more than 100 ICOS stations in 12 countries measuring greenhouse gas concentrations.

Ecosystem stations measure fluxes of CO2, CH4, H2O and heat, together with the ecosystem variables needed to understand the processes behind the exchange of energy and greenhouse gases between the ecosystems and the atmosphere.

Atmosphere stations continuously measure greenhouse gas concentrations of CO2, CH44, CO and radiocarbon-CO2 in the atmosphere due to regional and global fluxes.

Ocean stations consist of a network of ships and fixed stations monitoring the carbon exchange between the surface ocean and the atmosphere, along with other variables such as ocean acidification, surface temperature and salinity.

The ICOS Station Networks are coordinated by the ICOS National Networks including 11 European member countries and 1 observer country. The ICOS National Networks will gradually extend as more stations are integrated into ICOS RI.

Each National Network is managed and coordinated by a number of national research institutes.

ICOS station map (large version)