Das Projekt "Palaeo-Evo-Devo of Malacostraca - a key to the evolutionary history of 'higher' crustaceans" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Greifswald, Zoologisches Institut und Museum, Abteilung Cytologie und Evolutionsbiologie durchgeführt. In my project I aim at a better understanding of the evolution of malacostracan crustaceans, which includes very different groups such as mantis shrimps, krill and lobsters. Previous studies on Malacostraca, on extant as well as on fossil representatives, focussed on adult morphology.In contrast to such approaches, I will apply a Palaeo-Evo-Devo approach to shed new light on the evolution of Malacostraca. Palaeo-Evo-Devo uses data of different developmental stages of fossil malacostracan crustaceans, such as larval and juvenile stages. With this approach I aim at bridging morphological gaps between the different diverse lineages of modern malacostracans by providing new insights into the character evolution in these lineages.An extensive number of larval and juvenile malacostracans is present in the fossil record, but which have only scarcely been studied. The backbone of this project will be on malacostracans from the Solnhofen Lithographic Limestones (ca. 150 million years old), which are especially well preserved and exhibit minute details. During previous studies, I developed new documentation methods for tiny fossils from these deposits, e.g., fluorescence composite microscopy, and also discovered the first fossil mantis shrimp larvae. For malcostracan groups that do not occur in Solnhofen, I will investigate fossils from other lagerstätten, e.g., Mazon Creek and Bear Gulch (USA), or Montceaules- Mines and La-Voulte-sur-Rhône (France). The main groups in focus are mantis shrimps and certain other shrimps (e.g., mysids, caridoids), as well as the bottom-living ten-footed crustaceans (reptantians). Examples for studied structures are leg details, including the feeding apparatus, but also eyes. The results will contribute to the reconstruction of 3D computer models.The data collected in this project will be used for evaluating the relationships within Malacostraca, but mainly for providing plausible evolutionary scenarios, how the modern malacostracan diversity evolved. With the Palaeo-Evo-Devo approach, I am also able to detect shifts in developmental timing, called heterochrony, which is interpreted as one of the major driving forces of evolution. Finally, the reconstructed evolutionary patterns can be compared between the different lineages for convergencies. These comparisons might help to explain the convergent adaptation to similar ecological niches in different malacostracan groups, e.g., life in the deep sea, life on the sea bottom, evolution of metamorphosis or of predatory larvae.As the project requires the investigation of a large number of specimens in different groups, I will assign distinct sub-projects to three doctoral researchers. The results of this project will not only be published in peer-reviewed journals, but will also be presented to the non-scientific public, e.g., during fossil fairs or museum exhibitions with 3D models engraved in glass blocks.
Das Projekt "Work Package II - Material processing at Haean Basin scale: The role of hyporheic exchange and the riparian zone in NO3 and DOC export from catchments" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Bayreuth, Fachgruppe Geowissenschaften, Bayreuther Zentrum für Ökologie und Umweltforschung (BayCEER), Lehrstuhl für Hydrologie durchgeführt. The hydrogeochemical dynamics in mountainous areas of the Korean Peninsula are mainly driven by a monsoon-type climate. To examine the interplay between hydrological processes and the mobilization and subsequent transport and export of nitrate and DOC from catchments, a field study was initiated in the Haean catchment in north-eastern South Korea under highly variable hydrologic conditions. In order to identify nitrate and DOC source areas, a subcatchment (blue dragon river) within the Haean basin, which includes different types of landuses (forest, dry land farming, and rice paddies), was selected. In 2009, high frequency surface water samples were collected at several locations during summer storm events. A similar but more comprehensive sampling routine was completed in 2010. In order to investigate the groundwater level fluctuations relative to the hydraulic potentials, a piezometer transect was installed across a second order stream of the subcatchment. The results so far suggest deep groundwater seepage to the aquifer with practically no base flow contributions to the stream in the mid-elevation range of the catchment. In 2009 the focus of research was within the subcatchment, in 2010 additionally a second piezometer transect was installed at a third order stream in the lower part of the catchment (main stem of the Mandae River) where more dynamic groundwater/surface water interactions are assumed due to expected higher groundwater levels in this part of the basin. In order to investigate these interactions piezometers equipped with temperature sensors and pressure transducers were installed directly into the river bed. Based on the observed temperature time series and the hydraulic potentials the water fluxes between the groundwater and the river can be calculated using the finite-difference numerical code, VS2DH. VS2DH solves Richard s equation for variably-saturated water flow, and the advection-conduction equation for energy transport. The field data collected at the second piezometer transect suggest that the investigated river reach exhibits primarily losing surface conditions throughout most of the year. Gaining groundwater conditions at the river reach are evident after monsoonal extreme precipitation events. At the transect streambed aggradation and degradation due to bedload transport was observed. Significant erosion has been reported throughout the catchment after extreme events. Results indicate that the event-based changes in streambed elevation, is an additional control on groundwater and surface water exchange. The streambed flux reversals were found to occur in conjunction with cooler in-stream temperatures at potential GW discharge locations. The export of nitrate and DOC were found to be variable in time and strongly correlated to the hydrologic dynamics, i.e. the monsoon and pre- and post-monsoon hydrological conditions. usw.
Das Projekt "Functional genomics of Cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV) and molecular analyses of Finnish virus variants" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Berlin (Humboldt-Univ.), Department für Nutzpflanzen- und Tierwissenschaften, Fachgebiet Phytomedizin durchgeführt. Cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV) ist ein Nepovirus der Subgruppe C (Familie Comoviridae). Die Sequenz des bipartiten, einzelsträngigen (+)RNA-Genoms wurde von uns kürzlich vervollständigt. Abgesehen vom viralen Hüllprotein wurden CLRV-kodierte Genprodukte bisher nicht funktionell charakterisiert; Auch die Prozessierung der beiden Polyprotein-Precursor (RNA1-kodiertes P1 und RNA2-kodiertes P2) durch die vermutliche virale Proteinase (Pro) wurde in CLRV bisher nicht untersucht und ist daher wesentlicher Bestandteil des beantragten Projektes. Darüber hinaus sollen CLRV-kodierte Genprodukte funktionell analysiert werden, die keine Ähnlichkeit zu bisher bekannten Proteinen aufweisen, um grundlegende Erkenntnisse zur Funktion dieser Nepovirus-Gene zu erhalten. Innerhalb des Projektes sollen CLRV-Varianten genetisch und serologisch untersucht werden, die mit einer seit 2002 beobachteten Epidemie in Finnland assoziiert werden konnten und von der wichtige Birken-Arten betroffen sind. Zudem soll die Populationsstruktur des Virus in finnischen Birkenbeständen analysiert werden, da erste Untersuchungen auf atypische Verwandtschaftsbeziehungen hinweisen. Dieses ermöglicht die Korrelation molekularer und serologischer Daten mit den beobachteten Symptomen in Finnland und lässt daher eine grundlegende Beurteilung der Krankheitssituation der Birken erwarten.
Das Projekt "Ecotoxicology of Organotin compounds" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Frankfurt am Main, Institut für Ökologie, Evolution und Diversität, Abteilung Aquatische Ökotoxikologie durchgeführt. Organotin and especially butyltin compounds are used for a variety of applications, e.g. as biocides, stabilizers, catalysts and intermediates in chemical syntheses. Tributyltin (TBT) compounds exhibit the greatest toxicity of all organotins and have even been characterized as one of the most toxic groups of xenobiotics ever produced and deliberately introduced into the environment. TBT is not only used as an active biocidal compound in antifouling paints, which are designed to prevent marine and freshwater biota from settlement on ship hulls, harbour and offshore installations, but also as a biocide in wood preservatives, textiles, dispersion paints and agricultural pesticides. Additionally, it occurs as a by-product of mono- (MBT) and dibutyltin (DBT) compounds, which are used as UV stabilizer in many plastics and for other applications. Triphenyltin (TPT) compounds are also used as the active biocide in antifouling paints outside Europe and furthermore as an agricultural fungicide since the early 1960s to combat a range of fungal diseases in various crops, particularly potato blight, leaf spot and powdery mildew on sugar beet, peanuts and celery, other fungi on hop, brown rust on beans, grey moulds on onions, rice blast and coffee leaf rust. Although the use of TBT and TPT was regulated in many countries world-wide from restrictions for certain applications to a total ban, these compounds are still present in the environment. In the early 1970s the impact of TBT on nontarget organisms became apparent. Among the broad variety of malformations caused by TBT in aquatic animals, molluscs have been found to be an extremely sensitive group of invertebrates and no other pathological condition produced by TBT at relative low concentrations rivals that of the imposex phenomenon in prosobranch gastropods speaking in terms of sensitivity. TBT induces imposex in marine prosobranchs at concentrations as low as 0,5 ng TBT-Sn/L. Since 1993, for the littorinid snail Littorina littorea a second virilisation phenomenon, termed intersex, is known. In female specimens affected by intersex the pallial oviduct is transformed of towards a male morphology with a final supplanting of female organs by the corresponding male formations. Imposex and intersex are morphological alterations caused by a chronic exposure to ultra-trace concentrations of TBT. A biological effect monitoring offers the possibility to determine the degree of contamination with organotin compounds in the aquatic environment and especially in coastal waters without using any expensive analytical methods. Furthermore, the biological effect monitoring allows an assessment of the existing TBT pollution on the basis of biological effects. Such results are normally more relevant for the ecosystem than pure analytical data. usw.
Das Projekt "The parent material as major factor for the properties of the biogeochemical interface: Integrative analysis" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Technische Universität München, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan für Ernährung, Landnutzung und Umwelt, Lehrstuhl für Bodenkunde durchgeführt. The formation of biogeochemical interfaces in soils is controlled, among other factors, by the type of particle surfaces present and the assemblage of organic matter and mineral particles. Therefore, the formation and maturation of interfaces is studied with artificial soils which are produced in long-term biogeochemical laboratory incubation experiments (3, 6, 12, 18 months. Clay minerals, iron oxides and charcoal are used as major model components controlling the formation of interfaces because they exhibit high surface area and microporosity. Soil interface characteristics have been analyzed by several groups involved in the priority program for formation of organo-mineral interfaces, sorptive and thermal interface properties, microbial community structure and function. Already after 6 months of incubation, the artificial soils exhibited different properties in relation to their composition. A unique dataset evolves on the development and the dynamics of interfaces in soil in the different projects contributing to this experiment. An integrated analysis based on a conceptual model and multivariate statistics will help to understand overall processes leading to the biogeochemical properties of interfaces in soil, that are the basis for their functions in ecosystems. Therefore, we propose to establish an integrative project for the evaluation of data obtained and for publication of synergistic work, which will bring the results to a higher level of understanding.
Das Projekt "Quantification of the influence of current use fungicides and climate change on allochthonous Organic MATer decomposition in streams (QUANTOMAT)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Institut für Umweltwissenschaften durchgeführt. The decomposition of terrestrial organic material such as leaf litter represents a fundamental ecosystem function in streams that delivers energy for local and downstream food webs. Although agriculture dominates most regions in Europe and fungicides are applied widely, effects of currently used fungicides on the aquatic decomposer community and consequently the leaf decomposition rate are largely unknown. Also potential compensation of such hypothesised adverse effects due to nutrients or higher average water temperatures associated with climate change are not considered. Moreover, climate change is predicted to alter the community of aquatic decomposers and an open question is, whether this alteration impacts the leaf decomposition rate. The current projects follows a tripartite design to answer these research questions. Firstly, a field study in a vine growing region where fungicides are applied in large amounts will be conducted to whether there is a dose-response relationship between the exposure to fungicides and the leaf decomposition rate. Secondly, experiments in artificial streams with field communities will be carried out to assess potential compensatory mechanisms of nutrients and temperature for effects of fungicides. Thirdly, field experiments with communities exhibiting a gradient of taxa sensitive to climate change will be used to investigate potential climate-related effects on the leaf decomposition rate.
Das Projekt "Cell wall hemicelluloses as mobile carbon stores in plants" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Basel, Philosophisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät durchgeführt. Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) are the most important carbon reserves in most tissues and species. Beside NSC, cell wall hemicelluloses as the second most abundant polysaccharides in plants have often been discussed to serve as additional carbon reserves during periods of enhanced carbon-sink activity. By using a refined extraction method hemicelluloses were quantitatively and qualitatively determined in tissues of different plant functional groups and the ecophysiological importance of hemicelluloses as mobile carbon pools was investigated in two studies. In the first study hemicelluloses were investigated in newly synthesized tissues of 16 species of four different plant functional groups that were grown under extremely low (140 ppm), medium (280 ppm) or high (560 ppm) CO2 concentrations inducing a massive carbon-under or -oversupply. The changed carbon source-sink activities were evidenced by significant increments of biomass and NSC under elevated CO2 concentrations in tissues of all species. In contrast, hemicellulose concentrations remained remarkably stable with varying CO2 supply. Nevertheless, the monosaccharide spectrum of hemicelluloses showed a significant increase in glucose monomers in leaves of woody species as carbon supply increased. In contrast to the growing tissues of the first experiment the second study investigated the potential carbon reserve function of hemicelluloses by using the naturally occurring fluctuation in carbon-sink activity during bud break in mature forest trees (two deciduous species Carpinus betulus L., Fagus sylvatica L. and two evergreen species Picea abies L., Pinus sylvestris L.). NSC concentrations in branch sapwood of the deciduous trees declined strongly immediately before bud break and increased after bud break. Previous seasons' needles exhibited a significant increase in NSC concentrations shortly before bud break which declined again after flushing. Short-term fluctuations in hemicellulose concentrations were found in branch sapwood of Carpinus and previous seasons' needles of Picea and Pinus and correlated with those of NSC suggesting a mobile reserve function of hemicelluloses. The observed variations in hemicellulose concentrations in previous seasons' needles were due to variations in hemicellulose-bound glucose. In conclusion, this thesis showed that during 'de-novo' synthesis of cell-walls, hemicellulose concentrations do not vary strongly with changing carbon supply. Hemicelluloses are therefore unlikely to play a significant role as additional carbon sinks at future elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. On the other hand, apart from their predominant structural function, hemicelluloses can serve as additional carbon reserves in mature tissues during times of exceptionally high carbon demand.
Das Projekt "Functional morphology and productivity of a tussock grassland in the Bolivian Altiplano" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Basel, Philosophisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät durchgeführt. Tropical and subtropical high elevation grasslands are generally dominated by tall tussock grasses, a life form that seems to dominante in year round cold climates but otherwise quite different soil moisture regimes, from very wet (New Guinea, New Zealand, Ecuador) to rather dry, even semi-arid, as is the case in the NW-Argentinan and Bolivian Altiplano. The biomass production of these vast areas is largely unknown, since the classical harvesting technique cannot be applied in perennial vegetation without affecting growth. Given the steady increase in land use intensity, such information is needed to estimate the carrying capacity of these vast rangelands. In this thesis, I developed the needed non-destructive tools and applied them for a 30-month productivity analysis in the Bolivian Altiplano. The work was conducted in Sajama National Park at 4250 m elevation. The study plant, Festuca orthophylla, is a tall (up to 1 m, mostly around 60 cm) tussock forming grass that represents more than 90Prozent of all biomass in many parts of the Altiplano, including the study area. Forming clones of initially compact, but later fragmented shape, persisting many decades, this species is characteristic for the appearance of the semi-arid, Andean landscape over thousands of square kilometers at elevations between 3600 and 4600 m a.s.l. As a first step, I analysed the clonal structure, the morphology and biomass allocation in representative tussocks. The core of the theses is related to the tussock biomass production using a demographic approach and land cover data (Chapter 3), followed by an assessment of seasonal leaf dynamics (Chapter 4). In conclusion, our data provide a quantitative characterisation of the architecture and dry matter investment of this dominant Altiplano species, the first year-round productivity estimation for a high-elevation tropical, grassland, and a detailed assessment of leaf dynamics for the rainy and the dry season. In a number of ways the traits exhibited, contrast Festuca orthophylla from other, non-woody, high elevation taxa. In particular, the foliage of these tussocks operates at temperature close to that of the free atmosphere, while at the same time, providing shelter to below-ground shoot meristems. The large amount of dead plant material constrains photosynthetic light interception, and reflects slow rates of decomposition, a likely trade-off of generally poor nutrional quality (Patty et al., 2010), which, in turn, relates to the heavy herbivory pressure. The rates of biomass accumulation per unit of tussock area are quite high, much higher than one would expect in such a semi-arid rangeland. The most plausible explanation is that these tussocks are utilizing a far greater land area for water and nutrient acquisition than represented by their projected canopy area. The space in-between tussocks is, thus, a most likely mechanism explaining these high rates of productivity.
Das Projekt "Analysis of NOAA-AVHRR time series to investigate climate induced changes of vegetation in the Alps and surrounding landscapes" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Bern, Geographisches Institut durchgeführt. Without doubt the climate of the Alps has changed during the last decades, which result in a shift of vegetation zones, a new composition of species and most important the duration of the vegetation period. A trend analysis based on data of the Swiss phenological network showed an earlier flowering, bud burst and leaf unfolding in the year, whereas coloring of the leaves occurs later. This trend is not uniform throughout the Alps and exhibits strong regional distinction with a clear north-south difference and a contrast between lowlands and altitudes above 1000m. Although, some sites of the phenological network exist, their spatial distribution in the Alps is sparse. Furthermore, only a few measurement sites exist to monitor the actual vegetation dynamics in the Alps. In most investigations monitoring lasts only some years and only a few sites were observed for more than 10 years. Knowledge about the influence of climate on the spatial variations of vegetation dynamics is needed in order to assess future changes of vegetation due to climate change. Therefore, the proposed project focuses on the derivation of vegetation dynamics (start of season, maximum, end of season, duration of vegetation activity) and their variability in a changing climate and aims at addressing the following scientific questions: a) Does the sensitivity to warming differ across key components of land cover? b) Is there a clear difference between North-South and East-West Alps and elevation zones? c) How strong is the temperature signal in comparison to 'chilling duration' and 'photoperiod'? A homogenous and consistent data set with a high spatial (1.1km2) and temporal (1day) resolution based on data of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) on board of the NOAA-satellites will be generated. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), a measure for the vegetation activity, will be derived for the years 1987 until 2006 using processing software developed to take into account the special conditions (topography, cloud coverage) of the Alps. The NDVI data set will be used to derive the annual vegetation dynamics with a spatial resolution of 1day (depending on the cloud coverage) and for each pixel. Thus, for the first time vegetated areas in all altitudinal zones and regions of the Alps will be analyzed on their variability of vegetation dynamics. These results are the starting point to identify the most important patterns of vegetation dynamic (start of season, maximum value, duration of maximum values, end of season, duration of season) and climate year-to-year variability. Temperature and precipitation will be taken into account to explain the dependence of vegetation variability on climate. The outcome of the vegetation variability will be compared with the variability of spring onset as obtained from phenological observation networks in order to find out whether phenological observations are representative for a region.
Das Projekt "Landwirtschaft und Hochwasser" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Bundesanstalt für Agrarwirtschaft durchgeführt. Ein wichtiges Ziel des landwirtschaftlichen Hochwasserschutzes besteht darin, das Wasser möglichst in der Fläche zu halten. Dabei kommt der Landwirtschaft als größtem Flächennutzer eine besondere Bedeutung zu. Grundvoraussetzung ist eine standortangepasste Nutzung, die auf die Geländeverhältnisse, die klimatischen Voraussetzungen und Bodeneigenschaften Rücksicht nimmt. Eine hochwasserverträgliche Bewirtschaftung landwirtschaftlicher Flächen beinhaltet alle Maßnahmen, die den Oberflächenabfluss reduzieren, wie erhöhter Bodenbedeckungsgrad, größere Oberfl ächenrauigkeit, Vermeidung von Bodenverdichtungen, stabile Bodengefüge und Bodenaggregate, Steigerung der Infiltrationsrate, Vermeidung von Splash-Wirkung und Verschlämmung. Eine wichtige Maßnahme ist die Erhaltung einer lang anhaltenden Bodenbedeckung durch Hauptfrüchte mit langer Vegetationszeit und hoher Bestandesdichte. Dies wird erreicht durch Zwischenfruchtanbau und Untersaaten und andererseits durch die Vermeidung von spät schließenden Reihenfrüchten wie Mais, Kartoffeln und Zuckerrüben. Weiters bedeutsam ist die Erhaltung eines infi ltrationsfähigen Bodengefüges durch Verzicht auf tiefe Bodenwendung, Mulchsaatverfahren, die ausreichende Zufuhr von organischer Substanz und die Bearbeitung hängiger Flächen quer zum Hang. Schließlich sollen vorhandene Bodenverdichtungen gelockert und neue Verdichtungen vermieden werden, z.B. durch eine Verringerung der Befahrhäufigkeit, eine Verminderung des Kontaktfl ächendrucks und ein Befahren der Flächen nur bei tragfähigem Bodenzustand. Im vorliegenden Modell wurde einerseits die Hochwasserprävention auf landwirtschaftlichen Flächen bewertet, indem die lokalen naturräumlichen Verhältnisse der landwirtschaftlichen Nutzung gegenübergestellt wurden, um den Wasserabfluss aus landwirtschaftlichen Flächen ersichtlich zu machen. Für die Bewertung der Hochwasserempfindlichkeit der landwirtschaftlichen Flächen wurden zusätzlich die Flächen nach ihrer Überflutungshäufigkeit klassifiziert. So können nun bestimmte Maßnahmen einerseits räumlich gezielt den Wasserabfluss minimieren und andererseits die Schäden im Hochwasserfall gering halten. Um die Bewertungen und die Vorgangsweise zu veranschaulichen wurde die Gemeinde Seitenstetten als Beispielsregion herangezogen. Es liegt dort jedoch kein behördliches Verfahren zur Gebietsausweisung von jenen Einzelflächen oder Schlägen vor, die in Zukunft für den Hochwasserschutz bedeutend sein könnten. Beispielsprojekte im Ausland zeigen, dass durch eine sorgfältige agronomische Standortanalyse ein Maßnahmenkatalog für sensible Teilgebiete zusammengestellt werden kann, ohne Entzug von Flächen und anderen tiefgreifenden Betriebsumstellungen. Die Maßnahmen sind meistens relativ einfach plan- und umsetzbar, können insgesamt jedoch in ihrer standortangepassten kombinierten Form sehr effektiv wirken. usw.
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