Category
Controlled environment platforms
Capabilities
The UKCEH Glasshouses Facility is equipped with automated watering, ventilation and heating to simulate environmental conditions from 'UK ambient' to 'tropical'. The facility comprises 6 glasshouses, each equipped with 4 full-length rows of waist level benching capable of providing flood watering on an automated timer. Each house has fan heating to maintain frost-free conditions, and automated ventilation; two houses are equipped with radiator heating to allow elevated temperatures to be maintained. Specifically, GH 1, 2 and 4 have good quality horticultural lighting, hot water heating, and 2 back up electrical fan heaters (1 on the preserved power supply run by generator). These glasshouses are suitable for both temperate and tropical plants, but note that it is difficult and costly to maintain high temperatures in winter. GH 3 and 6 have no lights, no hot water heating, and 1 back up fan heater (not on the generator)and are only suitable for temperate plants. GH 5 is a 'potting shed' area for plant preparation and basic kit storage, and only has automated roof vents. The heating and cooling (fans and vents) are controlled by the dedicated building management system (BMS). Watering is controlled in each house by the Heron controllers. Lighting is controlled in each house by a time clock and light sensor located on the exterior of the glasshouse.
Each glasshouse has 2 aspirated temperature sensors and a humidity sensor. There is a weather station (on top of freezer shed) which reads wind speed and direction, whether it is raining, and outside air temperature. The glasshouse and weather sensors are used by the BMS to determine heating on/off, vents open/closed, fans off/on etc.
Lifecycle
The UKCEH Glasshouses Facility was constructed in the 1970s and expanded in the 1980s, with subsequent refurbishment.
Uniqueness
The UKCEH Glasshouses Facility is not unique: similar controlled environment research facilities are widely available.
Partners
The Glasshouses Facility is operated by UKCEH.
Access
The Glasshouses Facility is available for use by other researchers, usually in collaboration with UKCEH
Location
The Glasshouses Facility is located at the UKCEH Edinburgh station.
Funding sources
Minor maintenance is currently via the UKRI-NERC National Capability (LTSS): UK-SCaPE programme. Funding for specific projects making use of the glasshouses has come from EU, UKRI, NERC, BBSRC, Scottish Government, Scottish Forestry Trust, Darwin Initiative. Periodic in-life refurbishments are funded via capital grants from UKRI-NERC.
Users
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The Glasshouses Facility is primarily used by: UKCEH researchers and students; local external project partners and collaborators such as Forest Research, SRUC (Scotland's Rural College), University of Edinburgh, and Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh (RBGE).
Scale
Area, city, farm, habitat
Last updated
28 April 2022 13:25
