PLANAQUA is the National experimental platform in Aquatic Ecology . It consists of 3 levels of research platforms : Microcosms, from one to several litres of volume, can be used in the plankton-dedicated laboratory to set up continuous cultures experiments. They can also be used in the climatic chambers of the Ecotron IleDeFrance, a device that allows the precise conditioning of the environment and the detailed monitoring of states and activities of organisms and ecosystems. Microcosms allow studying plankton communities in marine or freshwater ecosystems under highly controlled environmental conditions such as temperature, irradiance, nutrients, and gas concentrations. A series of dedicated sensors enables monitoring of gas exchange (O2 and CO2) between the air and the water in the experimental system and to follow the related plankton metabolic activity. Mesocosms, with a volume of several cubic metres, have a high degree of replication. They are installed outdoors and equipped with devices for the experimental control of thermal gradients and water mixing. For example, twelve mesocosms are equipped with beaters that generate waves, making it possible to control the physical structure of the water column. These tools have been developed for studying the link between physical constraints and the functioning of aquatic systems. The large volume of these mesocosms (15 m3) makes it possible to house complex communities of organisms. Sixteen artificial lakes of 650 m3 have been conceived for incorporating the natural complexity of the environment and the spatially heterogeneous nature of ecological processes in natural ecosystems. These very large experimental systems, shaped with littoral, benthic and pelagic zones, will be inter-connected to each other by dispersal channels and equipped with automated sensors and data loggers. The artificial lakes will facilitate the studies on the functioning of complex communities with heterogeneous spatial distributions, and will allow understanding and managing the consequences of anthropogenic pressures on biodiversity, up to the species at the top of the food chains.

This SOERE aims at understanding and modelling the dynamics and ecological functioning of lake ecosystems affected by local and global forcing factors. Four peri -alpine lakes (Lakes Geneva , Annecy, Bourget, Aiguebelette) and their watersheds are monitored. These systems represent important natural resources and meet key societal demands (drinking water, fishing, tourism, biodiversity ... ) . The services provided by the Soere relates to both long-term in situ observation and experimentation. The observatory task is based on logistic, technical and analytical supports for (i) collecting environmental data (physico- chemical and biological), (ii) creating and managing database (ii) organizing the storage of reference biological samples. The accession to the data is possible according to the 'Terms & Conditions of Use' of the Soere Database. The SOERE OLA can provide logistic supports for sampling, in situ measurements and experimentation on Lake Geneva. This service is submitted to validation according to the " Logistic Support Leman" service charter. Other lake sites have joined the SOERE more recently, especially high lakes (sentinel lakes) and a model lake (meromictic), Lake Pavin. The SOERE OLA has Allenvi label.

Data obtained from the INRA CARRTEL laboratory in Thonon-les-Bains (SOERE-OLA: Observatory and Experimentation Systems for Environmental Research - LAkes Observatory) in collaboration with CISALB (Inter-Syndical Committee for Sanitation Lake Bourget). These data cover different topics: The variables of the physico-chemistry theme are: nitrogen, calcium, carbon, chlorides, conductivity, magnesium, dissolved oxygen, pH, phosphorus, potassium, reactive silica, sodium, sulphate, temperature, complete alkalimetric titre. Data taken at various depths throughout the lake's water column. The water column is made at the deepest point of the lake (140 m). The samples are taken every 15 days. The period concerns a follow-up from 1999 to the present. The variables of the chlorophyll theme are: chlorophyll a strickland-parsons, chlorophyll c, carotenoids, chlorophyll a scor-unesco, pheopigments. Data taken at various depths throughout the lake's water column. The samples are taken one to three times a month. The period concerns a follow-up from 2006 to the present. The variables of the topic sampling conditions are: air temperature, cloudiness, sunshine, weather, wind direction, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, water aspect, surface condition, transparency, color of water. Studies are carried out approximately once or twice a month. The period concerns a follow-up from 2010 to the present. The variables of the phytoplankton theme are: determiner name, sedimented volume, counting surface, determined taxon, number of counted fields, number of objects counted, number of objects per ml, number of cells per ml, biovolume of species In the sample. Data taken from an integrated depth of 0 to 10m or 0 to 20m depending on the year. Samples are taken once a month. The period concerns a follow-up from 1995 to the present. The variables of the primary production theme are: duration of incubation, primary production by actual incubation duration, primary production per hour, primary production by median third. Data taken at various depths on the lake's water column from 0 to 30m. The samples are taken once or twice a month. The period concerns a follow-up from 2011 to the present. The variables of the probe theme are: depth, temperature, chlorophyll a, pH conductivity, oxygen, oxygen saturation rate, turbidity, transparency, by w, by a, pah, pc. Data obtained at various depths (every 10 cm approximately) over the whole water column of the lake (0 to 140m). Measurements are performed once or twice a month. The period concerns a follow-up from 2003 to the present. The variables of the zooplankton theme are: name of the determiner, sedimented biovolume, name of the taxon determined, stage of development, number of individuals. Data taken from an integrated depth of 0 to 50m. The samples are taken one to three times a month. The period concerns a follow-up from 1996 to the present (absence of data between 1997 and 2003 inclusive).

Data from the INRA CARRTEL laboratory in Thonon-les-Bains (SOERE-OLA: Observation and Experimental Systems for Environmental Research - LAkes Observatory) in collaboration with ASTERS (Conservatory of natural areas, preservation of the natural heritage of Haute-Savoie, nature reserves, fauna and flora species). The sentinel lakes are the lakes of: Anterne, Brévent, Bressse inf, Bresse sup, Horn, Cornu, Cos, Jovet, Lauzanier, Malrif, Muzelle, Pave, Pétarel, Pisses, Plan-Vanniey, Porménaz, Rabuons. These data cover different topics: The variables of the physico-chemistry theme are: nitrogen, calcium, carbon, chlorides, conductivity, magnesium, dissolved oxygen, pH, phosphorus, potassium, reactive silica, sodium, sulphate, temperature, complete alkalimetric titre. Data taken at various depths over the whole water column of the lakes concerned (Anterne, Brévent, Cornu, Jovet, Porménaz). The water column is made at the deepest point of each lake. The samples are taken every 15 days. The period concerns a follow-up from 1992 to the present. The variables of the sampling conditions theme (obtained on all the sentinel lakes) are: air temperature, cloudiness, sunshine, weather, wind direction, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, water aspect, Surface, transparency, color of water. Studies are carried out approximately once or twice a month. The period concerns a follow-up since 2013 (or 2014 according to the lakes) until today. The variables of the phytoplankton theme are: determiner name, sedimented volume, counting surface, determined taxon, number of counted fields, number of objects counted, number of objects per ml, number of cells per ml, biovolume of species In the sample. Data taken from an integrated depth of 0 to 5m, 0 to 17m or 0 to 25m depending on the lakes (Anterne, Brévent, Corne, Cornu, Cos, Jovet, Porménaz, Rabuons). Samples are taken once a month. The period concerns a follow-up since 1998 (or 2015 according to the lakes) until today. The variables of the zooplankton theme are: name of the determiner, sedimented biovolume, name of the taxon determined, stage of development, number of individuals. Data taken from an integrated depth of 0 to 24 m for Lake Corne, 0 to 37 m for Cos Lake and 0 to 44 m for Lake Rabuons. The samples are taken one to three times a month. The period concerns a follow-up from 2015 to the present.