Flowering time (FTi) genes play a key role as regulators of complex gene expression networks, and the influence of these networks on other complex systems means that FTi gene expression triggers a cascade of regulatory effects with a broad global effect on plant development. Hence, allelic and expression differences in FTi genes can play a central role in phenotypic variation throughput the plant lifecycle. A prime example for this is found in Brassica napus, a phenotypically and genetically diverse species with enormous variation in vernalisation requirement and flowering traits. The species includes oilseed rape (canola), one of the most important oilseed crops worldwide. Previously we have identified QTL clusters related to plant development, seed yield and heterosis in winter oilseed rape that seem to be conserved in diverse genetic backgrounds. We suspect that these QTL are controlled by global regulatory genes that influence numerous traits at different developmental stages. Interestingly, many of the QTL clusters for yield and biomass heterosis appear to correspond to the positions of meta-QTL for FTi in spring-type and/or winter-type B. napus. Based on the hypothesis that diversity in FTi genes has a key influence on plant development and yield, the aim of this study is a detailed analysis of DNA sequence variation in regulatory FTi genes in B. napus, combined with an investigation of associations between FTi gene haplotypes, developmental traits, yield components and seed yield.
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is one major source of subsoil organic matter (OM). P5 aims at quantifying the impact of DOM input, transport, and transformation to the OC storage in the subsoil environment. The central hypotheses of this proposal are that in matric soil the increasing 14C age of organic carbon (OC) with soil depth is due to a cascade effect, thus, leading to old OC in young subsoil, whereas within preferential flowpaths sorptive stabilization is weak, and young and bioa-vailable DOM is translocated to the subsoil at high quantities. These hypotheses will be tested by a combination of DOC flux measurements with the comparative analysis of the composition and the turnover of DOM and mineral-associated OM. The work programme utilizes a DOM monitoring at the Grinderwald subsoil observatory, supplemented by defined experiments under field and labora-tory conditions, and laboratory DOM leaching experiments on soils of regional variability. A central aspect of the experiments is the link of a 13C-leaf litter labelling experiment to the 14C age of DOM and OM. With that P5 contributes to the grand goal of the research unit and addresses the general hypotheses that subsoil OM largely consists of displaced and old OM from overlying horizons, the sorption capacity of DOM and the pool size of mineral-associated OM are controlled by interaction with minerals, and that preferential flowpaths represent 'hot spots' of high substrate availability.
In diesem Forschungsvorhaben sollen die Effekte von Habitatfragmentierung auf Nahrungsnetze untersucht werden. Als Modellsystem dient die trophische Kaskade 'Pflanze - Pilz/Blattschneiderameise - Prädator/Parasit' im Atlantischen Regenwald Brasiliens, eines der weltweit am stärksten gefährdeten Waldökosysteme. Seit langem wird eine Zunahme der Dichte und Diversität von Blattschneiderameisen (BSA) in gestörten Habitaten beobachtet. Die Gründe hierfür sind jedoch weitgehend ungeklärt. Die diesem Projekt zugrunde liegenden Arbeitshypothesen basieren auf der Annahme, dass sowohl die Kontrolle durch Resourcenqualität als auch durch Prädation und Parasitismus in fragmentierten Wäldern weniger effizient sind als in geschlossenen Waldsystemen. Zur Beurteilung der bottom-up-Kontrolle wird daher untersucht, ob (1) pflanzliche Abwehr, (2) BSA Nahrungsbreite, (3) -Aktionsradius und (4) -Herbivorierate in Waldfragmenten zunehmen. Die Effizienz der top-down Kontrolle wird darüber bestimmt ob (1) Prädationsrate sowie (2) Ameisen- und Pilzparasitierung in kontinuierlichen Wäldern zunehmen und (3) der Koloniegründungserfolg abnimmt. Die Evaluierung der einzelnen Parameter und ihrer relativen Bedeutung soll das Verständnis der funktionellen Rolle trophischer Interaktionen am Beispiel dieser Schlüsselarten neotropischer Ökosysteme verbessern
Die Kläranlage Isselburg soll energetisch optimiert und auf eine Ausbaugröße von 20 000 EW erweitert werden. Dies soll durch eine grundlegende Modernisierung der zum Einsatz kommen-den Aggregate sowie einer Umstellung von einer klassischen Durchlaufanlage auf eine 3- fach Kaskade mit nachgeschalteter Denitrifikation erreicht werden. Zur energetischen Nutzung des Faulgases ist der Bau eines BHKW vorgesehen. Das Vorhaben erfüllt die für den UIP-Förderschwerpunkt 'EAA' vorgegebenen Förderkriterien in der Förderkategorie 2.2.1. Der zu erreichende Zielwert liegt bei 29,1 kWh/EW-a (Grundwert 18 kWh/EW-a plus Korrekturwerte gemäß Tabelle 3). Angestrebt wird ein spez. Energieverbrauch von 20 bis max. 29,1 kWh/EW-a. Der Energiebedarf für die Belüftung wird 10 kWh/EW-a nicht überschreiten. Die Kläranlage wird künftig thermisch autonom arbeiten. Auf den Einsatz von Heizöl zur Wärmeerzeugung kann vollständig verzichtet werden. Durch die Maßnahmen können insgesamt 448 t/a CO2 eingespart werden. Das ganzheitliche Energiekonzept dieses Vorhabens hat Modellcharakter für die meisten anderen Kläranlagen im unteren Bereich der GK 4. Die Energieeffizienz wird vor allem aus der Erneuerung und Optimierung der Belüftung für die Belebung sowie der Optimierung der bestehenden Schlammfaulung erreicht.
Submerged macrophytes stabilize the clear water regime in shallow lakes, but were often completely lost during eutrophication resulting in a shift to the turbid, phytoplankton-dominated regime. Re-colonization of submerged macrophytes often failed after reoligotrophication of shallow lakes despite an increased light availability in spring. Shading by periphyton is supposed to be one of the reasons. Periphyton biomass in eutrophic lakes has been suggested to be potentially controlled by a cascading effect of fish predation on periphyton-grazing invertebrates. Direct experimental evidence of this top-down control of periphyton and its relevance for submerged macrophyte re-colonization, however, is still lacking. We plan a combination of field and laboratory experiments and modeling to unravel the role of periphyton shading for the development of submerged macrophytes as a base for sustainable management of shallow eutrophic lakes. The focus is on in situ evidence of topdown control of periphyton by a fish-invertebrates-cascade, the shading impact during early stages of macrophyte development and the impact of timing of the clear water phase and tuber sprouting in spring for a mismatch between periphyton and macrophyte growth.
Ecological use of wood resources in Switzerland In this project, researchers develop decision-making aids on environmental policy issues for actors in politics and industry. In so doing, they consider the entire life cycle of wood: from forestry via manufacturing and multiple use of wood products (cascade use) through to its use as a source of energy, or its disposal. Background Rising prices of resources and environmental problems call for an efficient use of renewable resources both for material and energetic applications. Thus future generations will not be able to afford to underuse the resource wood, as is still the case today. In order to make better use of wood, models are needed that not only incorporate mass fluxes, but also provide a comprehensive and spatially resolved assessment of the environment. Aim The aim of the project is to develop strategies that facilitate the sustainable and efficient use of wood resources in Switzerland. For this purpose, the researchers are studying existing and potential future value chains with the help of dynamic and spatially-resolved material flow and life-cycle analyses, improving methods for the assessment of ecological impacts of forestry and wood use as well as evaluating new technologies and giving feedback to their developers within the scope of NRP 66. The insights gained in the project will help the researchers to develop and assess different wood usage scenarios, from which they will derive strategies for decision-makers in politics, industry, forestry and research. Significance The project will result in a software tool which can be used to test nascent technologies in respect of their ecological consequences. First users of the new tool will be researchers developing new technologies and products in NRP 66 partner projects. Based on the knowledge gained through the research work, political strategies for an ecologically sound management of wood as a resource will be proposed.
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