To parameterise, validate and continuously improve the various components of the land system model the Research Unit conducts on the basis of the Integrated Project PAK 346 extensive collaborative measurements on the experimental fields established in the two study regions. They are accomplished by regionally distributed measurements, controlled experiments in climatic chambers as well as regional surveys to assess the adaptation capacity and learning behaviour of farmers.

The Projects P1 and P2 will continue their intensive cooperation, including the operation of the six eddy covariance stations initiated in 2008 on the experimental fields in Kraichgau and Swabian Alb. In both study regions, P2 will operate and maintain the soil moisture networks. In addition to these continuous measurements, novel 3-dimensional observations of temperature, humidity, aerosol particles, the atmospheric boundary layer depth, and clouds will be added by means of scanning lidar systems during specific measuring campaigns by P1. These data will be combined with results from an experiment on the nature of the energy balance gap of EC flux data, which will be performed by P2. The Projects P3, P4, and P9 contribute data on soil carbon dynamics, and on growth, phenology, yield and yield quality of crops. In addition, Project P4 conducts controlled experiments in climatic chambers to study the effects of future climate conditions on yield, yield quality, and nitrogen metabolism of crops. In the socio-economic area, Projects P6 and P7 cooperate in regional farm surveys and behavioural experiments.