Das Projekt "Siberian Earth System Science Cluster (SIB-ESS-C)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Jena, Institut für Geographie, Abteilung Geoinformatik und Fernerkundung durchgeführt. The Siberian Earth System Science Cluster is a recently started project of the Department of Earth Observation at the Friedrich-Schiller University Jena (Germany) to generate and disseminate information products of central Siberia along with advanced analysis services in support of Earth System Science. Products provided cover central Siberia and have been created by a consortium of research institutions that joined forces in the FP 5 EU project SIBERIA-II (Multi-Sensor Concepts for Greenhouse Gas Accounting of Northern Eurasia, EVG2-2001-00008). The study region comprises a number of ecosystems in northern Eurasia ranging from the tundra, the boreal and temperate forests, mountainous areas and grasslands. The region is believed to play a critical role in global climate change and has been also defined as one of IGBP's Boreal transects representing a strong climate change hot spot in Northern Eurasia.
Das Projekt "Effects of contemporary and historical gene flow in maintaining the genetic diversity of fragmented Araucaria araucana populations" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Marburg, Fachbereich Biologie, Professur Naturschutzbiologie durchgeführt. Araucaria araucana ( Molina) K. Koch. is a species endemic to the southern South American temperate forest that grows in a reduced area between 37º 20' and 40º 20' S (Veblen et al., 1995). It represents the main food and economical resource of the aborigine communities (Mapuches) which lives in and from these forests. The great exploitation suffered by this species in the past, the long periods of fires and the intense human activities had led to a high level of erosion of its genetic resources, mainly in the eastern edge of its distribution range in Argentina where highly fragmented populations occur. Moreover, the complete absence of natural regeneration is driving these eastern populations to its extinction. For this reason, the species is currently protected in Argentina by regulations of Lanin National Park and Neuquen Province Government. Besides, it was recently included in CITES, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. However, little is known about its genetic variation and the recently began studies (Bekessy et al., 2002; Izquierdo et al., 2002; Gallo et al., 2003; Marchelli, Ziegenhagen & Gallo, 2003) should be complemented. The objective of this proposal is to study gene flow among fragmented populations in the Patagonian steppe in order to provide information for conservation strategies. Furthermore, the present project will allow the continuity and reinforcement of a long-lasting cooperation between the two groups that began in 1996.
Das Projekt "Gross ammonification, gross nitrification and N net mineralization in temperate forest soils at low temperatures (amoni)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung GmbH - UFZ, Department Bodenphysik durchgeführt. The temperature dependency of N turnover at low soil temperatures is poorly known. In the past, N mineralization in temperate forest soils at low soil temperatures in the dormant season was often considered negligible, which is questioned by recent findings. Here, we will study rates of in situ N net mineralization throughout a full year in a beech and a spruce forest ecosystem to quantify the relevance of winterly processes at the annual scale. In laboratory experiments with undisturbed soil samples at constantly low temperatures (+8, +5, +2, -1, -4 °C) we will investigate the temperature dependency of gross ammonification, gross nitrification and immobilization in different soil horizons from both sites using the 15N dilution technique. To test the hypothesis that substrate quantity and quality influence the temperature dependency of these processes, different substrates (NH4 in case of gross nitrification; glycine, proline and 2,6-pyridindicarbonic acid in case of gross ammonification) will be added. Temperature dependencies will be quantified using the Arrhenius equation. The results of this project will be of special relevance when predicting effects of future climate change on the N cycle in forest soils.
Das Projekt "Belowground niche separation and competition in tree species mixtures" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Freiburg, Waldbau-Institut durchgeführt. Root competition for water and nutrient among species is an ubiquitous feature of terrestrial plant communities influencing abundance and distribution of plants and the dynamics of their communities. The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning has emerged as a central issue in ecological and environmental sciences. It is commonly believed that increasing species richness increases the stability of communities. Higher plant species diversity might lead to increased exploitation of spatially heterogeneous resources by spatial niche complementarity. Tree species mixtures are generally believed to enhance ecosystem functioning in forests by niche partitioning and complementary resource exploitation due to differences in tree height, crown form, root depth and/ or phenology. In the past, however, most studies focused on the aboveground interaction and coexistence of the tree species, while factors controlling belowground species interactions remain less clear. There is experimental evidence to suggest that below-ground competition in herbaceous communities is size-symmetric in homogeneous soil. However, recent studies in tree communities indicate that fine-root competition may be asymmetric. The main purpose of this project is to characterize the underground niche separation and competition in relation to tree species diversity in mixtures comprising spruce, beech, oak and Douglas fir. Structural traits and spatial distribution of fine roots were investigated using a soil core method and fine-root growth is being assessed using the ingrowth core technique at a site in Kaltenborn, which is part of the long-term biodiversity-ecosystem functioning experiment with tree species of temperate forests (BIOTREE). The objectives of this study were to test the following hypotheses: (1) overall level of soil exploitation increases with the tree species diversity; (2) competitive ability belowground is size-symmetric, and (3) the below-ground competitive ability is species specific. As part of this investigation, we will explore the potential of using Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy to identify the species identity of fine roots of the different tree species and to quantify the contribution of different fine roots in mixed root samples.
Das Projekt "Diversität, Dynamik und Strukturierungsmechanismen arborikoler Arthropodengemeinschaften gestörter und primärer Waldökosysteme im temperaten Mitteleuropa" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Biozentrum, Lehrstuhl für Zoologie III (Tierökologie und Tropenbiologie) durchgeführt. Similar to the tropics, forests formed the natural vegetation in Central Europe, however, they were almost completely clear-cut or converted into commercial forests hundreds of years ago. The theoretical foundations of ecology, like the niche theory, have been developed on highly disturbed systems in the countries of temperate latitudes. Based on the tacit assumption that the dynamic in disturbed systems is not distinctly different from that in primary forests, this was never tested, however. For arboreal arthropod communities of tropical low- land rain forests we found a transition in community structure from randomly composed communities in the primary forest to deterministically structured communities in disturbed forests. It is a central aspect of this project to test whether a transition in the structuring mechanisms between disturbed and primary forests does also occur in temperate latitudes. Since tree crowns of temperate forests are largely unexplored, the project is subdivided into two headings: 1. Characterisation of the arboreal arthropod communities of the same tree species in primary and differently disturbed forests by their faunistic description, their diversity, community structure and dynamics, 2. Comparable analysis of the structuring mechanisms of primary and disturbed forest types.
Das Projekt "Swiss canopy crance (SCC): CO2-enrichment (2009-2012)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Basel, Botanisches Institut, Abteilung Pflanzenökologie durchgeführt. In March 1999 a ca. 45 m tall crane was installed in a highly diverse, mature temperate forest at Hofstetten near Basel, 550 m above sea level. This research tool does enable canopy research in both adult conifers and deciduous trees typical for European forests. With a new type of Free Air CO2 Enrichment, called webFACE, part of this forest is exposed to 530 ppm CO2 since October 2000 (see Pepin and Koerner 2002). Tree genera include: Fagus, Quercus, Carpinus, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Abies, Picea, Pinus, Larix. The forest has an age of 100 years and dominant trees vary between 32 m and 36 m in height. Except for Larix and Picea (which were introduced from slightly higher elevations) all species occur naturally. With the broad leaved evergreen Ilex aquifolium and Hedera helix in the understory the spectrum is ideal for a an assessment of functional aspects of forest biodiversity. Research will be strictly comparative in order to capitalize on this unique species richness. Topics attended by our team include canopy architecture and fuctional leaf attributes, reproductive dynamics and storage reserves in whole tree canopy CO2-enrichment, sapflow and stable isotopes. After 4 years, we found an immediate and sustained enhancement of carbon flux, but there was no overall stimulation in stem growth and leaf litter production (Koerner et al. 2005). We cooperate with partners from other Swiss institutions (WSL, PSI and others) and colleagues from Germany and Austria. Internationally this project lines up with currently operative crane projects in Panama, Venezuela, Oregon, NE-Australia, and Japan, providing a global network which also includes animal sciences. With its sole emphasis on experimental and analytical work in the top of a mature forest, this is the first crane project in Europe, and one out of three globally in a temperate deciduous/mixed forest (the others are in Japan and in Germany). The SCC project first of all seeks to contribute to biodiversity research in forests.
Das Projekt "Biodiversität und Ökosystemleistungen kleiner Waldfragmente Europäischer Landschaften (smallFOREST)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e.V., Institut für Landnutzungssysteme und Landschaftsökologie durchgeführt. Generelles Ziel von smallFOREST ist die Charakterisierung und Quantifizierung von Biodiversität und dazu in Beziehung stehenden Ökosystemleistungen auf verschiedenen Skalen, und diese wiederum miteinander in Beziehung zu setzen, in kleinen Waldflächen, die in unterschiedlichen Agrarlandschaften entlang eines Südwest-Nordost-Transktes des temperaten Europas eingebettet sind.
Das Projekt "Mikroorganismen in der Phyllosphäre von Waldökosystemen gemäßigter Klimazonen unter sich verändernden Umweltbedingungen" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung e.V., Institut für Landschaftsstoffdynamik durchgeführt. Zielsetzung: Aufklärung der Dynamik mikrobieller Epiphytenpopulationen in der Phyllosphäre von Waldbäumen bei erhöhten Luftschadstoffkonzentrationen (N, S, CO2) und bei Befall durch blattsaugende Insekten unter besonderer Berücksichtigung ihrer Enzymaktivitäten im C- und N-Kreislauf und ihrer Biodiversität.
Das Projekt "Swiss canopy crane (SCC): CO2-enrichment" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Basel, Botanisches Institut, Abteilung Pflanzenökologie durchgeführt. In March 1999 a ca. 45 m tall crane was installed in a highly diverse, mature temperate forest at Hofstetten near Basel, 550 m above sea level. This research tool does enable canopy research in both adult conifers and deciduous trees typical for European forests. With a new type of Free Air CO2 Enrichment, called webFACE, part of this forest is exposed to 530 ppm CO2 since October 2000 (see Pepin and Koerner 2002). Tree genera include: Fagus, Quercus, Carpinus, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Abies, Picea, Pinus, Larix. The forest has an age of 100 years and dominant trees vary between 32 m and 36 m in height. Except for Larix and Picea (which were introduced from slightly higher elevations) all species occur naturally. With the broad leaved evergreen Ilex aquifolium and Hedera helix in the understory the spectrum is ideal for a an assessment of functional aspects of forest biodiversity. Research will be strictly comparative in order to capitalize on this unique species richness. Topics attended by our team include canopy architecture and fuctional leaf attributes, reproductive dynamics and storage reserves in whole tree canopy CO2-enrichment, sapflow and stable isotopes. After 4 years, we found an immediate and sustained enhancement of carbon flux, but there was no overall stimulation in stem growth and leaf litter production (Koerner et al. 2005). We cooperate with partners from other Swiss institutions (WSL, PSI and others) and colleagues from Germany and Austria. Internationally this project lines up with currently operative crane projects in Panama, Venezuela, Oregon, NE-Australia, and Japan, providing a global network which also includes animal sciences. With its sole emphasis on experimental and analytical work in the top of a mature forest, this is the first crane project in Europe, and one out of three globally in a temperate deciduous/mixed forest (the others are in Japan and in Germany). The SCC project first of all seeks to contribute to biodiversity research in forests.
Das Projekt "DFG Extinction debt - Interaktive Effekte von historischen Landnutzungsveränderungen und aktuellen Umweltveränderungen auf die Pflanzenartenvielfalt der Krautschicht in Laubwäldern gemäßigter Breiten" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e.V., Institut für Landnutzungssysteme und Landschaftsökologie durchgeführt. Landnutzungsveränderungen stellen eine erhebliche Bedrohung für die Artenvielfalt dar. In weiten Teilen Europas haben umfangreiche Landnutzungsveränderungen bereits vor einigen Jahrhunderten stattgefunden, als ausgedehnte Wälder gerodet wurden, um Acker- und Weideland zu gewinnen. Später fielen die landwirtschaftlichen Flächen vielerorts brach und wurden wieder aufgeforstet. Inzwischen mehren sich die Hinweise, dass diese historischen Landnutzungsveränderungen noch heute verspätete Reaktionen in der Bodenvegetation von Wäldern hervorrufen. In historisch alten Waldfragmenten ist eine 'Aussterbeschuld' zu bezahlen, während in neuzeitlichen Waldfragmenten ein 'Besiedlungskredit' zu zahlen ist. Unser Wissen über das Ausmaß von Aussterbeschuld und Besiedlungskredit in mitteleuropäischen Laubwäldern ist jedoch sehr begrenzt. Auch ist unklar, in welchem Umfang diese tatsächlich durch die Pflanzenarten bezahlt werden. Waldpflanzen werden nicht nur durch historische Landnutzungsveränderungen beeinflusst, sondern auch durch verschiedene jüngere Umweltveränderungen, z.B. atmosphärische Deposition, erhöhten Äsungsdruck und Klimawandel. Die meisten Langzeitstudien betrachten diese Faktoren einzeln, vernachlässigen dabei aber, dass diese sowohl untereinander als auch mit den Nachwirkungen historischer Landnutzungsveränderungen interagieren. Mit diesem Forschungsprojekt möchten wir uns diesen Wissenslücken widmen. Unsere wesentlichen Ziele sind a) Aussterbeschuld und Besiedlungskredit in historisch alten bzw. neuzeitlichen Laubwäldern zu quantifizieren, b) festzustellen, in welchem Umfang Aussterbeschuld und Besiedlungskredit über die letzten fünf Jahrzehnte bezahlt wurden, und c) wesentliche Interaktionen zwischen den Nachwirkungen historischer Landnutzungsveränderungen und den Auswirkungen aktueller Umweltveränderungen auf die Artenvielfalt nachzuweisen. Die Untersuchungen sollen in der Prignitz (Nordostdeutschland) durchgeführt werden. Für diese Region stehen uns außergewöhnlich gute historische Daten zur Verfügung. Mit Hilfe von topographischen Karten aus dem späten 18. und 19. Jahrhundert kann die Landnutzungsgeschichte rekonstruiert werden. Die historische und aktuelle Landschaftskonfiguration sollen in Beziehung gesetzt werden zur aktuellen Artenvielfalt in den Laubwaldfragmenten, um so Aussterbeschuld und Besiedlungskredit zu quantifizieren. Außerdem werden wir die Artenzusammensetzung in mindestens 200 semipermanenten Aufnahmeflächen von 1960 erneut untersuchen, um Veränderungen in Artenvielfalt, floristischer Differenzierung zwischen den Wäldern (Betadiversität) und funktionaler Zusammensetzung festzustellen. Sowohl gemessene Standortbedingungen als auch das arteigene Verhalten der Pflanzenarten gegenüber verschiedenen Umweltfaktoren werden dazu dienen, die beobachteten Veränderungen in Artenvielfalt und Zusammensetzung auf die interaktiven Effekte von historischen Landnutzungsveränderungen und aktuellen Umweltveränderungen zurückzuführen.