WHONDRS: a Community Resource for Studying Dynamic River Corridors

mSystems. 2018 Oct 9;3(5):e00151-18. doi: 10.1128/mSystems.00151-18. eCollection 2018 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

The Worldwide Hydrobiogeochemistry Observation Network for Dynamic River Systems (WHONDRS) aims to galvanize a global community to provide the scientific basis for improved management of dynamic river corridors. WHONDRS is a global research consortium working to understand connections among dynamic hydrology, biogeochemistry, and microbiology in river corridors from local to global scales. WHONDRS ascribes to the perspective that resources, knowledge, and data belong to the community as a whole and that science advances more rapidly and more robustly through community ownership. As such, WHONDRS provides free access to novel instrumentation, molecular analysis, and well-curated data associated with river corridor hydrology, biogeochemistry, and microbiology. There are a number of ways to be involved in WHONDRS, ranging from one-time surface water sampling to installation of WHONDRS-developed multiparameter sensors for continuous monitoring. WHONDRS hinges on broad involvement, and we encourage all interested parties to contact us and become part of the consortium.

Keywords: biogeochemistry; hydrology; hyporheic; microbial ecology; microbiology; research consortium; river.

Publication types

  • Editorial