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In this study, we investigate how immersive 3D geovisualization can be used in higher education. Based on MacEachren and Kraak's geovisualization cube, we examine the usage of immersive 3D geovisualization and its usefulness in a research-based learning module on flood risk, called GEOSimulator. Results of a survey among participating students reveal benefits, such as better orientation in the study area, higher interactivity with the data, improved discourse among students and enhanced motivation through immersive 3D geovisualization. This suggests that immersive 3D visualization can effectively be used in higher education and that 3D CAVE settings enhance interactive learning between students.

Soil water content and matric potential are central hydrological state variables. A large variety of automated probesand sensor systems for state monitoring exists and is frequently applied. Most studies solely rely on the calibration by themanufacturers. Until now, there is no commonly agreed calibration procedure. Moreover, several opinions about the capabilitiesand reliabilities of specific sensing methods or sensor systems exist and compete. A consortium of several institutions conducted a comparison study of currently available sensor systems for soil water5content and matric potential under field conditions. All probes have been installed in 0.2 m depth below surface following best practice procedure. We present the setup and the recorded data of 58 probes of 15 different systems measuring soil moisture and further 50 probes of 14 different systems for matric potential. The measuring campaign was conducted in the growing period of 2016. The monitoring data, results from pedophysical analyses of the soil and laboratory reference measurements for calibration are published in Jackisch et al. (2018, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.892319). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In hydrology, the storage-discharge relationship is a fundamental catchment property. Understanding what controls this relationship is at the core of catchment science. To date, there are no direct methods to measure water storage at catchment scales (101-103 km2). In this study, we use direct measurements of terrestrial water storage dynamics by means of superconducting gravimetry in a small headwater catchment of the Regen River, Germany, to derive empirical storage-discharge relationships in nested catchments of increasing scale. Our results show that the local storage measurements are strongly related to streamflow dynamics at larger scales (> 100 km2; correlation coefficient = 0.78-0.81), but at small scale, no such relationship exists (~ 1 km2; correlation coefficients = −0.11). The geologic setting in the region can explain both the disconnection between local water storage and headwater runoff, and the connectivity between headwater storage and streams draining larger catchment areas. More research is required to understand what controls the form of the observed storage-discharge relationships at the catchment scale. This study demonstrates that high-precision gravimetry can provide new insights into the complex relationship between state and response of hydrological systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncertainty is an inherent property of monitoring, analysis and modelling of coupled human-environmental systems. The interdisciplinary RUINS project (Risk, Uncertainty and Insurance under Climate Change. Coastal Land Management on the German North Sea.) assesses land management options in coastal areas as adaptation to changing climate under uncertainty. Especially when it comes to future predictions of ecosystem services, to convey the information within the blur of stacked and interconnected uncertainties to the decision makers becomes challenging.Projected changes in the weather regimes (drier hotter summers, wetter winters) and rising sea levels provide the dynamic drivers to an ecohydrological model framework with local settings defined by several land management options with respect to the establishment of water retention stores, cropping and cattle farming. Exposed to elevated drainage demands and decreased (passive) drainage capacity, water management and winter flood protection is the foremost requirement. In addition, likely summer droughts increase freshwater demands on agricultural sites. In return, lower inland groundwater levels and elevated sea levels might lead to increased salt water intrusion into low-lying areas above disturbed subsurface capping layers. Furthermore, low water levels in the drainage system and surrounding soils increase the risk of pyrite oxidation and the mobilisation of sulfuric acid. The ecohydrological model framework consists of hydrological, soil hydrological, crop and ecological models. Based on simulations for representative elements, they will predict state dynamics, which will be valuated as ecosystem services. Obviously, there are many sources and kinds of uncertainty involved, which are analysed based on the flow of information through the model framework. To contribute to the discussion of the session we present the setup of the ecohydrological model framework of the RUINS project. As an example, we show how the selection of hydrological process models influences the uncertainty of ecosystem service derivation and their valuation. By comparing results from the distributed GSFLOW model with simulations of an alternative approach following the Superflex concept for representative elemets, we evaluate the model insights based on an assessment of the information filtered by either approach.With respect to the overall goals of the project and the session, we seek to discuss: How could different concepts of uncertainty in economic and environmental science disciplines be unified and what does this imply for either approach? How can we assure to convey the information and not the blur from the uncertainty assessment to the decision makers? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]