The efficient and accurate simulation of grounding line dynamics in marine ice-sheet models remains a challenge, largely due to restrictive time-step limitations. The restrictive time step size of ice-sheet simulations (∼Δt=0.01-0.5 years) is one of the reasons for the routine use of approximate models that compromise physical complexity compared to full Stokes models. To address the time-step restriction and enhance the applicability of full Stokes simulations, we implement a numerical stabilisation scheme at the ice–ocean interface, namely the Free-Surface Stabilisation Algorithm (FSSA). The FSSA acts by predicting the surface elevation at the next time step, resulting in a reduction in surface oscillations and an increase in the largest numerically stable time step. When applied to the ice–ocean interface, FSSA acts in combination with the sea spring numerical stabilisation scheme, allowing larger time steps to be taken. In order to test the capabilities of the FSSA when applied to the ice–ocean interface, we perform the benchmark simulation of Experiment 3a from the Marine Ice Sheet Model Intercomparison Project (MISMIP). These simulations demonstrate the ability of the model to capture grounding line migration on both prograde slopes (oceanward sloping) and retrograde slopes (inland sloping). We find a time step size of Δt=10 years to be numerically stable and accurate in the MISMIP experiment, which is more than an order of magnitude larger than the small time steps traditionally used. In comparison, a time-step size of Δt=50 years can maintain numerical stability, but is not capable of capturing the full range of grounding-line motion in the MISMIP experiments. We further demonstrate the applicability of the FSSA to a 3D marine terminating model domain of Ekström Ice Shelf, finding that a time-step size of Δt=10 years is numerically stable. However, these results are obtained for relatively slowly evolving grounding-line dynamics, and caution is required for more rapidly evolving systems driven by ocean melting (e.g., Thwaites Glacier). The increase in the largest numerically stable time step by greater than an order of magnitude in marine-terminating Stokes ice-flow problems through the inclusion of FSSA broadens the applicability of Stokes models, which have otherwise been deemed too computationally expensive for large-scale applications.
Solar wind directional discontinuities can generate transient mesoscale structures such as foreshock bubbles and hot flow anomalies (HFAs) upstream of Earth's bow shock. These structures can have a global impact on near‐Earth space, so understanding their formation conditions is essential. We investigate foreshock transient generation at a rotational discontinuity using a global 2D hybrid‐Vlasov simulation. As expected, a foreshock bubble forms on the sunward side of the discontinuity. Later, when the discontinuity reaches the shock, new structures identified as HFAs develop, despite the initial discontinuity not being favorable to HFA formation. We demonstrate that the foreshock bubble provides the necessary conditions for their generation. We then investigate the evolution of the transient structures and the large‐scale bow shock deformation they induce. Our results provide new insights on the formation and evolution of foreshock transients and their impact on the shock.
The growing interest in transdisciplinarity as a mode of research and development, i.e. ‘problem solving science’, co-developed with non-academic stakeholders, is evidenced by the increase in academic literature and funding calls on the topic. Transdisciplinary research, particularly in the environmental, health and education sectors has the potential to better inform funding practices, policy and research impacts. However, academia often struggles with fully enabling either interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary science because of institutional barriers, funding constraints, time limitations, and evaluation criteria which can all hinder collaboration (Harris et al. 2024). The longitudinal studies which characterise long-term socio-ecological research (LTSER) platforms (Mirtl et al. 2021) can overcome some of these barriers through deep understanding of the local environmental and cultural issues, consistency of personal relationships and persistence of funding rounds, while setting local knowledge gaps in a global context. LTSER platforms encompass classic long-term ecological research (LTER) sites, but also include the broader geographic area that contains them, along with cultural, administrative, historic, economic and other social dimensions of the region. A review involving 25 self-selected LTSER platforms of the International Long-Term Ecological Research (ILTER) network assessed 4983 publications, of which 1112 were deemed relevant to the socio-ecological objectives of the platform (Dick et al. 2018). In this presentation we will focus on the Cairngorms LTSER platform established in 2013 and the research journey conducted on sustainable appreciation of nature by humans which informs the Cairngorms National Park Sustainable Tourism Strategy. Tourism is vital to the Cairngorms National Park, accounting for 30% of the economy (GVA) and 43% of employment. Visitors and locals appreciate the outstanding landscapes, wildlife and huge range of activities available. The park was awarded the EUROPARC Federation charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas in early 2000’s and has used the federation’s five principles to practically manage and develop tourism in the area. The 2017 verifier’s evaluation report highlights the positive improvements but also comments on the need for a deeper knowledge about the recreational potential of the whole Cairngorms National Park to inform visitors and so reduce the high concentration of visitors in certain places and times. The Cairngorms LTSER platform formed one case studies in the EU funded OpenNess project which aimed to translate the concepts of ecosystem services and natural capital into operational frameworks that provided tested, practical and tailored solutions. A recreational potential model ESTIMAP-Recreation (Zulian et al. 2013) was further developed for the Cairngorms (Zulian et al. 2018) providing a practical example of co-production and collaboration (Dick et al. 2022). Further research funding was won in the form of the Biodiversity Digital Twin (BioDT) project, an innovative EU funded project which provided a practical example of knowledge co-production and collaboration tackling critical global biodiversity challenges. The recreation and biodiversity cultural ecosystem services digital twin (Rolph et al. 2024) build on the previous work and focused on the management of the cultural ecosystem services provided by landscapes i.e. non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems, such as recreation, tourism. Biodiversity is central to these services as it enhances human experiences and connects people to nature. The hope is that by combining recreational potential and the probability of sighting biodiversity the prototype digital twin increases awareness of the recreational potential of the whole park (Fig. 1). Stakeholders have co-designed the prototype digital twin (Dick et al. 2025). This work has been further advanced through the SPEAK project funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council ‘Growing Shoots’ programme. The SPEAK project is focused on the co-production of knowledge related to the use of the digital twin of recreational potential to increase awareness of places to visit while passively monitoring human behaviour coupled with biomarker data (Powell 2024). The SPEAK project funded 40 Garmin Instinct 2 watches which will collect location and biometric data while the wearers spend time in nature (Fig. 2). The volunteers will use the recreational potential model to select suitable places to recreate while wearing a Garmin watch, enabling analysis of the value of nature. We will conduct a workshop to enable the governance of this type of project to be co-developed with participants and the wider community. Our work links to the global developments enhancing inter- and transdisciplinary science such as the recent IPBES thematic assessment report on interlinkages among biodiversity, water, food and health. This report stresses the nexus approach, which echoes the WAILS approach of eLTER Research Infrastructure (Mirtl et al. 2021). The continuity of personnel during successive projects is a major advantage of the LTSER platform approach, while the increasing inter- and transdisciplinary nature of the research fits the current funding landscape.
Communities of experts collaborating on scientific or technical projects are drivers of innovation across the life sciences. The ELIXIR research infrastructure organises scientific- and technological-themed communities as one of its key mechanisms to ensure that services are user-focused, while at the same time facilitating collaboration and creating scientific impact through the life science data generated across Europe. ELIXIR has rapidly expanded its communities portfolio in response to unmet needs and has developed a comprehensive process framework to facilitate the work of these communities. The ELIXIR Communities framework is made up of a suite of tools and processes that ensure effective community evolution and management, covering how communities are established, led, supported, and can collaborate across ELIXIR and beyond. Being aware of similar approaches in other contexts and in the interests of furthering community development in other research infrastructures and similar organisations, we share insights into the ELIXIR Communities framework and outline the skill set of a community manager and what this looks like in the ELIXIR context. Finally, to show the benefits of the communities, we share concrete examples of how the ELIXIR Communities have had an impact on the scientific landscape. By showcasing these outcomes we hope to demonstrate not only to other research infrastructures, but also to funders, that supporting scientific communities provides a valuable return on investment. We hope that these examples will encourage life scientists who may be interested in joining the ELIXIR Communities, and research infrastructure professionals whose roles require structured engagement with domain experts and users.
