AT THE HEART OF TRANSITIONS:THE SCIENTIFIC STATIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LIÈGE Anchored in sensitive ecosystems which are representative of major environmental issues (wetlands, mountains, marine environments), the University of Liège's scientific stations – the Hautes Fagnes Station (Belgium), the Jungfraujoch Station (Switzerland) and STARESO in Corsica (France) – enable the long-term observation of air quality, biodiversity and the state of our natural resources, and monitor the impacts of climate change. Review of 30 years of restoration of the Hautes Fagnes peat bogs and its impact on greenhouse gas emissions The Hautes Fagnes peatlands play an important role in combating climate change thanks to their ability, among other things, to store carbon. However, anthropogenic degradation alters this function, sometimes transforming these ecosystems into sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs). A study conducted at the Hautes Fagnes Station aims to compare GHG emissions from flooded areas in three types of peatlands: intact, degraded with moor grasses, and under restoration. By evaluating the effectiveness of actions taken over the past 30 years, researchers aim to identify the most effective strategies for restoring the carbon sink role of peatlands while minimising GHG emissions. Laurane Winandy (laurane.winandy@uliege.be) FIND OUT MORE Observing the atmosphere and educating future generations at Jungfraujoch in the Swiss Alps: a second life for a cutting-edge instrument measuring GHGs Since 1950, ULiège has been conducting research on the Earth's atmosphere from Jungfraujoch, located in the heart of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to spectral measurements, notably via the Bruker IFS-120HR FTIR spectrometer installed in 1990, more than 60,000 infrared spectra have been used to track the evolution of 35 atmospheric gases, including many GHGs. This instrument has thus played a key role in the high-resolution documentation of the accumulation of major GHGs over several decades. Now replaced, it has been donated by ULiège and the FNRS to the World Nature Forum museum in Naters and is being used for educational purposes. Visitors, particularly schoolchildren, can learn about atmospheric measurement techniques and observe the effects of climate change at the foot of the glacier, thus making science accessible and tangible. Emmanuel Mahieu (emmanuel.mahieu@uliege.be) FIND OUT MORE A new tool for marine research: the STARESO oceanographic vessel in Corsica The STARESO catamaran, designed by Gérard Bonifacio, Pierre Lejeune and Michel Marengo with the participation of Sylvie Gobert, embodies a new generation of scientific vessels combining performance and respect for the environment. Specially developed to meet the needs of oceanographers, it is equipped with living quarters and cutting-edge research equipment, while incorporating solar-powered electric propulsion and biocide-free antifouling paint, thus preserving marine ecosystems. This hybrid vessel enables sustainable exploration of Mediterranean marine environments, from the coastline to the deep sea. Acquired through public and private funding, it illustrates the commitment of ULiège and STARESO to innovative and eco-responsible oceanographic research, strengthening their position among the leading international institutions in this field. Sylvie Gobert (sylvie.gobert@uliege.be) FIND OUT MORE 9 | REPORT SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSITION AT ULIÈGE | 2024 – 2025
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