Over the past six years, I’ve poured my heart into SoilTemp. What started as a vision for a global soil temperature database quickly grew into something much more: a living, breathing community of researchers passionate about microclimate ecology.

From the beginning, we dreamed of SoilTemp as more than a dataset. It was meant to be a hub – a place where scientists from around the world could come together, share data, collaborate on methods, and push the field of global microclimate ecology forward.

We’ve come a long way. Together, we’ve consolidated methodological advances (think De Frenne et al.), launched workshops and conferences (the MEB-conference series!), and created a vibrant series of subgroups tackling diverse topics from cold-climate regions to peatlands. And recently, we’ve felt the shift – this is no longer just a project or a database. It’s a full-fledged network.

So today – as we shared by email to the whole network already before – I’m beyond excited to share a major milestone in this journey: SoilTemp is now MEB – the Microclimate Ecology & Biogeography network.

This new name is more than just a name. It’s mostly a broader vision and a renewed commitment to collaboration, inclusivity, and openness. After months of discussion and feedback, we’ve redesigned the network to give people more ways to engage, contribute, and connect – wherever you are in your microclimate journey.

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What’s new?

– A new name: MEB – Microclimate Ecology & Biogeography

We have long grown beyond soil temperature. MEB captures the full range of what we now study together: microclimate across ecosystems, across scales, and around the globe.

– A new database identity: MDB – the Microclimate Database

Our database is evolving too. MDB reflects the diversity of in-situ microclimate measurements we now host – from air to soil, from forests to tundra. We’re always welcoming new contributors. If you’ve got data, we’d love to include it!

– A fully integrated conference series

The MEB Conference series – always already explicitly part of SoilTemp – is now officially part of the network! After a fantastic launch in Antwerp (2022) and an exciting follow-up in Helsinki (2024), we’re thrilled to welcome you all at the next edition in Montpellier (1–5 June 2026). These events are about more than just presentations – they’re where we take the pulse of global microclimate research, and foster new collaborations.

– A new website: www.meb-network.com

Explore our new digital home for updates on the database, network activities, and upcoming events. You’ll also find our new visual identity here – inspired by the MEB conference series. Still some work to do to get all microclimate information in the same place, but we’ll continue updating it!

– New contact info

You can now reach us at MEB-network@outlook.com. Don’t worry – the old SoilTemp email is still monitored during the transition.

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How to join?

And then, very importantly: we have created many more ways in which anyone from the community can get involved! One of the core values of MEB is openness. We want this to be a network for the community, by the community. Here’s how you can now get involved (in addition to submitting data to the database, that is):

• Annual online general assembly – your chance to connect, share feedback, and help steer the network. If you’re in our mailing list, you’ll automatically receive the invite for this
• MEB Scientific Committee – open to everyone who wants to get more deeply involved into strategic planning, scientific priorities and moving the field forward scientifically.
• MDB Database Committee – help shape the future of our data infrastructure. This committee aims to be a balanced set of representative data contributors from all continents, as well as data users – who see most clearly what the database needs.
• Tools & workshops – we’re building a resource hub with guidelines, webinars, and online workshops (coming in late 2025).
• Topical subgroups – passionate about a specific environment or region? Join or start a subgroup! Current active ones include:
  1. Arctic/Antarctic & Above Treeline (AAAT)
  2. Drylands
  3. Peatlands

Want to start something new? Let us know – we’re here to support you.

More info and signup for any of these: Organisation – MEB Network

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Looking ahead

We’re planning our first MEB celebratory general assembly for later this year – an open, online gathering for everyone in the network. It’ll be a chance to reflect, plan, and celebrate all we’ve built together. We hope to see many of you there!

To all of you who’ve contributed data, ideas, time, or support: thank you. This network exists because of you – and it’s only just getting started.

Let’s keep building the future of microclimate research. Together.