Inside these chambers are small trees that are being exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide. The experiment is testing the long-term effects of carbon dioxide on the growth of radiata pine and red beech. It was part of research into the impact of global climate change on ecosystems, which was being carried out near Christchurch in the early 2000s by a group that included researchers from local and international universities, and local Crown research institutes. This type of research is termed public-good research, as it may not result in any specific commercial outcomes, but is in the public interest. Nine Crown research institutes were created in 1990, mainly from the old Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, which was broken up. These Crown research institutes are termed Crown entity companies.