Das Projekt "EURopean network of excellence for OCean Ecosystems ANalysiS (EUR-OCEANS)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung e.V. in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft (AWI) durchgeführt. EUR-OCEANS aims to achieve lasting integration of European research organisations on global change and pelagic marine ecosystems, and to develop models for assessing and forecasting the impacts of climate and anthropogenic forcing on food-web dynamics (structure, functioning, diversity and stability) of pelagic ecosystems in the open ocean. The NOE will favour the progressive integration of research programmes and facilities of major research Institutes all over Europe. The long-term goal of the NOE is to create a multi-site Institute for European Research on Ocean Ecosystems under Anthropogenic and Natural forcings. The international context is provided by Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics (GLOBEC), and the forthcoming Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research (IMBER) of the International Geosphere Biosphere Programme (IGBP).EUR-OCEANS' Joint Programme of Activities (JPA) comprises: (1) Integrating activities on: networking (data and model integration); (2) Jointly executed research, organised around four broad modelling tasks (together with observations and experiments) on: pelagic ecosystems end-to-end, biogeochemistry, ecosystem approach to marine resources and within-system integration; (3) Activities to spread excellence, including training of researchers, and spreading excellence to socio-economic users and to the European public (through the Association of Aquaria for EUR-OCEANS public outreach); (4) Management Activities. Administrative and Financial Coordinator: Institut Oceanographique. Governing bodies: General Assembly (Member Organisations); Executive Committee (incl. Scientific Director and the Deputy); Steering Committee (incl. Work Packages Leaders). Councils: Scientific, Intellectual, Gender Equality, and EUR-OCEANS Institute. Composition: 69 Member Organisations, from 25 states (incl. 7 Third countries); 160 PIs selected for their capacity and excellence. Close cooperation with the USA, Australia, Canada, Namibia and Japan. Prime Contractor: France Innovation Scientifique et Transfert; Paris; France.
Das Projekt "Temporal evolution of hydrothermal systems at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (14 45 - 15 05N)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Sektion Geowissenschaften, Institut für Geowissenschaften durchgeführt. Wenige Informationen gibt es bisher zur Lebensdauer von Hydrothermalsystemen, zur zeitlichen Variabilität hydrothermaler Aktivität sowie zu der Veränderung der chemischen Zusammensetzung der Fluide über geologische Zeitskalen hinweg. Anhand von Altersdatierungen hydrothermaler Ablagerungen mit Hilfe natürlicher Radionuklide sollen Dauer und Periodizität hydrothermaler Aktivität im Logatchev Feld bestimmt werden. Anhand der chemischen Zusammensetzung der Präzipitate und ihrem Alter sollen Informationen zur chemischen Variabilität der hydrothermalen Lösungen während der geologischen Vergangenheit erhalten werden. Grundlagen für diese Untersuchungen sind Bohrkerne die während der Forschungsfahrt mit FS MERIAN (2006) im Logatechev Feld gewonnen werden. Die Altersdatierung der hydrothermalen Ablagerungen, die durch die Bohrungen erhalten werden, sollen dazu beitragen, die Entwicklungsgeschichte des Logatchev Feldes in Raum und Zeit zu erforschen.
Das Projekt "Native plants and mycorrhizal fungi in wind erosion control in the Kailash-Manasarovar region (Tibet, China)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Professur für Forstschutz und Dendrologie durchgeführt. We study the effects of plants and root-associated fungi on wind erosion within the alpine environment of Tibet. China is one of the countries most affected by desertification processes and Tibet, in particular, a key region in desertification combat. The presented project focuses on the Barkha Plain surrounded by Mount Kailash and the Lake of Manasarovar (Ngari Prefecture). This Western Tibet region experienced little scientific attention but, nowadays, faces rapidly increasing touristic activities and expanding local settlements associated with socio-economic changes that are serious threats to the delicate ecological balance and potential triggers of desertification. It exists almost unanimous agreement that revegetation is the most efficient and promising strategy to combat wind erosion and desertification in the long term. However, re-colonising success is often poor, mainly under extreme environmental conditions. Compared to conventional practices, the approach of the presented project attains better accordance with natural succession processes and promises acceleration of both plant and soil development and, conclusively, more efficient desertification control. The project assesses the potential of native plants and symbiotic fungi to control wind erosion and desertification processes. It aims to identify key plants and fungi that increase soil aggregate stability and efficiently drive succession into a natural and self-maintaining cycle of the ecosystem. Furthermore, it provides crucial information for implementing environmentally compatible and cost-effective measures to protect high-elevation ecosystems against desertification. Within three successional stages (early, intermediate, late), field investigations are performed on the basis of Modified-Whittaker plots. Classic methods of vegetation analysis and myco-sociology are combined with analysis of distribution patterns at different scales (patchiness, connectivity). Comprehensive soil analysis is performed comprising grain size distribution, aggregate stability, pH as well as water and nutrient contents. Additionally, important parameters of wind erosion are measured concurrently and continuously to assess their magnitude and variability with respect to vegetation and soil at different levels of development. The parameters addressed, include sediment transport, air temperature, radiation, precipitation, relative humidity as well as speed and direction of wind. Surface moisture is recorded periodically and roughness described. Species and environmental parameters are checked for spatial correlation. Cutting edge technologies are applied in laboratory work, comprising molecular methods for fungal species identification and micro-tomography to analyse soil structure. Furthermore, successfully cultivated fungi and plants are subject of synthesis experiments and industrial propagation in view of practical implementation in restoration measures.