VAL: Why, What, How and Who? Motivating Questions Initial Design Ideas Comparison to other approaches The Workshop Challenges

Biological Impacts of Climate Change Humans are causing major alterations in the environment, including changes in temperatures, atmospheric CO 2, UV radiation and many trace pollutants. The biological effects of these multifactorial changes are difficult to study experimentally.

Paleontology and Geology u/arthropoda/uniramia/ odonata/protolindenia.j pg We lack a basic understanding of how these historical conditions affected biological and geological processes. Historical changes in the Earth’s environment (i.e. temperature, atmospheric O 2 and CO 2 ) have been very large relative to anticipated changes over the next 100 years.

Astrobiology and the Evolution of Life What environmental conditions allow life to evolve? Which exoplanets are most likely to support life? How did early conditions on earth influence evolution of life on earth?

Environmental Air Quality and Health Issues Respiratory diseases are at epidemic levels in industrialized countries. Which pollutants or interaction of pollutants are most critical? Why does one person respond with pathology when others do not? Current studies limited mostly to examination of single pollutants over short time periods.

Agricultural Impacts Major need will be to test the environmental resistance of genetically-engineered crops. How will interactive effects of higher temperatures and CO 2, available water, (and variance in these parameters) affect agriculture?

VAL Design 60 “mini-worlds” with a suite of controlled environmental variables – Most terrestrial miniworlds 5 x 5 x 3 m; some larger – 5 L (microbiological) and 250 L (metazoan) aquatic chemostats Flexible design which can be adapted for specific question or organisms of interest Takes advantage of economic advantages of industrial gas generation

VAL Design Adjacent scientific labs/offices Housing for visitors Remote data acquisition Designed for educational outreach

Controllable Variables Oxygen: 5-95 kPa [0.2-5 N] Nitrogen: 5-95 kPa [0.05 – 1.2 N] CO 2 : 0-2 kPa [0 – 5000 N] Temperature: 5-45°C (subset of units to be designed to reach extreme high and low temps) Humidity: 0-95% Light: 0 to 1500 watts m -2 (solar simulators [0 – 1 N], timed to control photoperiod) Ultraviolet radiation: 0-5 watts m -2 [0 – 5 N] (solar spectrum mimic) Trace Gas Control: 0-2 kPa

Comparison to Other Approaches Ecotron FACE NEON BIOSPHERE 2 PHYTOTRON

Advantages of VAL Allows experimental manipulation of replicated environments on both short and long-term time scales Comprehensive control of most major environmental variables Flexibility of design allows application to broad range of disciplines

Workshop The purpose of the workshop is to gather diverse, expert opinion on the design and construction of VAL, with a special emphasis on the identification of: 1)the most important scientific problems that cannot currently be addressed in a cost- effective manner without VAL 2)key design features necessary for the success of VAL.

Challenges Engineering/Design – Optimizing design for gas generation and regulation – Optimizing design for flexible use – Cost/benefit analysis of features – Animal care and health concerns – Minimizing environmental impact Economic – Finding/funding engineering partners – Funding construction – Funding operations

Plan for Actualization of VAL 1. Workshop: Scientific goals and design needs 2. Identify engineering/private partner: preliminary design and cost estimates 3. Garner endorsements 4. Funding for full design (DOE, NSF, NASA, NIH, EPA) 5. Funding for construction and operations