Shower thoughts: why scientists should spend more time in the rain

Stormwater is a vital resource and dynamic driver of terrestrial ecosystem processes. However, processes controlling interactions during and shortly after storms are often poorly seen and poorly sensed when direct observations are substituted with technological ones. We discuss how human observations complement technological ones and the benefits of scientists spending more time in the storm. Human observation can reveal ephemeral storm-related phenomena such as biogeochemical hot moments, organismal responses, and sedimentary processes that can then be explored in greater resolution using sensors and virtual experiments. Storm-related phenomena trigger lasting, oversized impacts on hydrologic and biogeochemical processes, organismal traits or functions, and ecosystem services at all scales. We provide examples of phenomena in forests, across disciplines and scales, that have been overlooked in past research to inspire mindful, holistic observation of ecosystems during storms. We conclude that technological observations alone are insufficient to trace the process complexity and unpredictability of fleeting biogeochemical or ecological events without the shower thoughts produced by scientists' human sensory and cognitive systems during storms.

Automated summary

Stormwater is a crucial resource and plays a dynamic role in terrestrial ecosystem processes. However, the processes during and after storms are often not well understood when relying solely on technological observations. Human observations can complement technological ones by revealing ephemeral storm-related phenomena, which can then be further investigated using sensors and virtual experiments. Storm-related phenomena have significant impacts on hydrologic and biogeochemical processes, organismal traits and functions, and ecosystem services at all scales.