Research

Collaborative Research Center

ECOSENSE (DFG SFB 1537)

Multi-scale quantification and modelling of spatio-temporal dynamics of ecosystem processes by smart autonomous sensor networks
Global climate change threatens ecosystem functioning worldwide. Forest ecosystems are particularly important for carbon sequestration. However, recurrent stresses, such as heat waves, floods, and droughts, increasingly endanger even central European forests, with potentially cascading effects on their carbon sink capacity, drought resilience, and sustainability. Knowledge on the impact on the multitude of processes driving soil-plant-atmosphere interactions within these complex systems is widely lacking and uncertainty about future changes extremely high.
Our interdisciplinary research project ECOSENSE will investigate all relevant scales in a next generation ecosystem research assessment. Our vision is to detect and forecast critical changes in ecosystem functioning based on the understanding of hierarchical process interaction.

Research Project

PhytOakMeter

The role of priming for abiotic and biotic stress responses in oak
In the project, we aim to improve our mechanistic understanding of the ecophysiological responses of the oak holobiont to re-current drought stress. In addition, the effect of abiotic stress on subsequent biotic stress by above- and belowground herbivory will be elucidated. We postulate that the studied oak clone (DF159) will be primed by a first moderate drought event, hence, it will be less vulnerable for subsequent abiotic (drought) and biotic (above- and belowground herbivores) stress. This will be studied by determination of important ecophysiological parameters such as water potential, rates of photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence and others. Another focus of this project is the oak typical endogenous rhythmic growth (ERG) characterized by alternating phases of root and shoot growth, and the effects of stress in these different phases.

Research Project

Forest Floor (DFG FOR 5315)

Functioning, Dynamics, and Vulnerability in a Changing World
The forest floor (FF) forms the interface between the above-ground and below-ground parts of the forest and performs key ecosystem services such as the storage and conversion of organic matter, nutrients, water and gases. In temperate regions, even small climate changes could influence these functions by shifting the soil structure from organic to mineral layers. Our research network investigates the relationships between the controlling variables, properties and services of the forest floor. The objectives are (i) to evaluate the performance of the FF in comparison to the mineral topsoil, (ii) to assess its vulnerability to climate warming, and (iii) to use its properties as indicators for the fulfilment of ecosystem services. The focus is on the combined influence of phosphorus and temperature in European beech forests (Fagus sylvatica), mixed with spruce (Picea abies) and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus).