Experiments in controlled replicated environments are needed to gain a mechanistic understanding of environmental change.
For the DRI-STREAM project, we have created the UK’s largest stream mesocosm facility so that we can manipulate flows to simulate drought conditions and monitor the response of entire communities of benthic algae, macrophytes, invertebrates and fish that typify lowland streams. The facility contains 21 artificial streams, enabling us to conduct highly replicated, statistically powerful, experiments at the reach scale. Experiments are now underway to establish how drought affects biodiversity, food webs and functioning.