Interdisciplinary Earth science in a controlled environment: The Biosphere 2 Landscape Evolution Observatory

Biosphere 2 is currently constructing an unprecedented, large-scale, and environmentally controlled experimental infrastructure inside a 0.3 ha greenhouse.  This facility is designed to address Earth systems science questions that are inherently interdisciplinary in nature. For example, the Landscape Evolution Observatory (LEO) is designed to quantify hillslope scale hydrological partitioning at far greater precision than is possible in natural systems using thousands of environmental sensors. Furthermore, it will provide researchers with the opportunity to study the co-evolution of coupled physical and biological systems in a controlled, long-term observatory facility. This facility will serve as a nexus for new inter­disciplinary research programs, a template for creative experimentation and measurement, and a stunning tool for communicating science to a wide range of audi­ences including the more than 100,000 annual visitors to Biosphere 2.