The hyperarid Atacama Desert coast receives scarce moisture inputs mainly from the Pacific Ocean in the form of marine advective fog. The collected moisture supports highly specialized ecosystems, where the bromeliad Tillandsia landbeckii is the dominant species. The fog and low clouds (FLCs) on which these ecosystems depend are affected in their interannual variability and spatial distribution by global phenomena, such as ENSO. Yet, there is a lack of understanding of how ENSO influences recent FLCs spatial changes and their interconnections and how these variations can affect existing Tillandsia stands. In this study, we analyze FLCs occurrence, its trends and the influence of ENSO on the interannual variations of FLCs presence by processing GOES satellite images (1995–2017). Our results show that ENSO exerts a significant influence over FLCs interannual variability in the Atacama at ~ 20°S. Linear regression analyses reveal a relation between ENSO3.4 anomalies and FLCs with opposite seasonal effects depending on the ENSO phase. During summer (winter), the ENSO warm phase is associated with an increase (decrease) of the FLCs occurrence, whereas the opposite occurs during ENSO cool phases. In addition, the ONI Index explains up to ~ 50 and ~ 60% variance of the interannual FLCs presence in the T. landbeckii site during summer and winter, respectively. Finally, weak negative (positive) trends of FLCs presence are observed above (below) 1000 m a. s. l. These results have direct implications for understanding the present and past distribution of Tillandsia ecosystems under the extreme conditions characterizing our study area.

Ecosystem dry limits have been studied in the context of species biology, fitness, and interactions with biotic and abiotic parameters, but the interactive effects of these parameters remain underexplored. Therefore, information on the putative effects of global climate change on these ecosystems is often lacking. We analyzed the interplay between fine‐scale landscape genetics and biotic and abiotic factors of terrestrial Tillandsia lomas in the hyperarid Atacama Desert, characterized by a fog‐dependent vegetation type almost entirely dominated by one single vascular plant species. We showed that metapopulations of Tillandsia landbeckii are genetically connected over many hundreds of square kilometers, and despite having a large potential for clonal propagation, genetic diversity is regionally and locally structured. At the landscape level, genetic diversity correlates well with fitness parameters such as growth, flowering, and vegetation density. We also observed fine‐scale correlation with a 3‐D landscape model indicating a positive feedback with seasonal fog occurrence and availability. The various interactions of biotic and abiotic factors resulted in regular linear banding patterns of vegetation arranged orthogonally toward the landscape slope. Ex situ growth experiments indicated that T. landbeckii grows at optimal rates in this extreme hyperarid environment, and we can extrapolate mean biomass production for this ecosystem. Synthesis. Our results suggest that the unique ecosystem of terrestrial Tillandsia lomas in the hyperarid Atacama Desert is an evolutionarily balanced and fine‐scaled system. The vegetation itself is composed of long‐lived and persistent modules. We developed a descriptive model of the various interacting factors, thereby also highlighting the severe threat caused by global climate change potentially associated with fog disturbance patterns along the Chilean Pacific coast.

Viewing the Earth from above has fascinated people at least since the Apollo mission in the 1960s. Today, satellite images have made their way into the news and media, but the potential of using satellite images in the classroom has not yet been exhausted. Teachers often lack the technical knowledge of Earth observation (EO) or the technical requirements in schools. The Geo:spektiv e-learning platform used provides the opportunity to integrate EO into curricula as well as current environmental- and space-relevant topics. This study analyses the driving forces that determine the motivation of students and which factors contribute to the success of an e-learning platform. The basis for this study is a Geo:spektiv module about the endangered rainforest, established at an out-of-school learning place and designed for students in secondary education. A survey of 281 students on their motivation and learning behavior showed, that in addition to the topic and level of difficulty tailored to the students’ needs, the design of the modules, simple navigation, and the use of multimedia content are vital. Despite the small sampling size and restricted geographical location of sample selection, the results of this study can contribute to better integration of digital geo-media in school lessons.

Digital media increasingly transform daily routines as well as everyday actions and working environments, including education. Apps, games, computer programs, and social media, etc. can support and improve learning processes. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions of social life accelerated a shift towards the application of digital media in education as well as in distance learning. This paper answers questions about the current usage of digital media in non-formal education in Germany, especially in the context of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The results of a 2020 survey in Germany with 111 participants show that digital media are an integral part of non-formal education; in particular, audio and video recording and filesharing are used often. Notably, the usage of web calls and webinars has increased since the pandemic. Regarding the disadvantages of digitals formats, participants note the investment in time and effort as well as the expensive equipment needed for development. Despite being dissatisfied with existing offers, a lot of institutions have not developed their own digital education formats (yet). This indicates a possible need for further training and education of educators in non-formal ESD, enabling them to independently create digital formats. This would also contribute to the quality of digital formats, of which many were possibly developed without proper expertise.