Zotino Tall Tower Observation Facility

The Zotino Tall Tower Observation Facility is a research station featuring a 304-meter steel mast equipped with instruments that continuously measure greenhouse gases and atmospheric conditions. The tower extends high above the surrounding forest and collects data about air quality and weather patterns at different heights.

Operations began in September 2006 through a partnership between the Max Planck Society and the Sukachev Institute of Forest in Russia. This collaboration made it possible to start long-term monitoring of the atmosphere over one of the world's major forest regions.

The facility brings together scientists from multiple countries who work side by side studying the air above the taiga forest. This international partnership allows researchers to gather data showing how the atmosphere behaves over vast forested areas.

The facility sits in a remote forest area where warm clothing and insect protection are essential. Access is challenging due to the isolated location, so planning ahead and checking local information about visiting conditions is important.

The isolated location deep within the forest allows data collection free from interference caused by city and industrial activities. This purity of measurements makes the station a valuable resource for understanding how the atmosphere works in undisturbed regions.