The Moisture Isotopes in Biosphere and Atmosphere network (MIBA): initial results from the UK.

The Moisture Isotopes in Biosphere and Atmosphere network (MIBA) is a relatively new IAEA project which was initiated in order to improve the availability of global isotope data on water cycle components, and integrate isotope applications in hydrological cycle, carbon cycle and climate research. It is designed to supplement the data available from the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation (GNIP). MIBA is composed of a global network of sites which encompass a diverse range of ecosystems and locations. Monthly or bi-monthly samples of atmospheric water vapour and leaf, stem and soil water from the dominant plant type are collected and their oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions analysed. Coordination of the sampling and analyses for MIBA is the responsibility of regional sub-networks. Here we provide some background to MIBA, and present the first results from the MIBA-UK sub-network which is composed of three sites (in England, Scotland and Wales) and commenced sampling in January 2005.