MultiTroph

Spokesperson
Alexandra-M. Klein, University of Freiburg

Project coordinator:
Finn Rehling, University of Freiburg

Chinese coordinator:
Chao-Dong Zhu, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing

The overall objectives of SP1 are to characterize the bottom up effects of tree diversity on (1) the amount and diversity of naturally occurring dead wood to assess resource availability and quality for saproxylic insects and nutrient input into soil along this decomposition pathway, (2) the (functional trait) diversity of saproxylic insect communities in naturally occurring dead wood and how these are shaped indirectly by tree diversity through changes in biotic interactions that may influence community assembly, (3) functional traits of saproxylic insects in dead wood and their effect on wood decomposition rate using experimentally exposed dead wood with and without insect exclusion, (4) comparison of dead wood colonization and decomposition rate of suspended dead wood with dead wood on the ground.

Principle investigators:
Heike Feldhaar, University of Bayreuth
Simon Thorn, University of Würzburg

Doctoral researcher:
Matteo Dadda, University of Bayreuth

Chinese partner:
Arong Luo, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing

This subproject aims to test interrelations between trophic interactions, tree diversity, and soil erosion with multi-element stoichiometry of resources and different trophic levels (plants as primary producers and soil microorganisms as consumers). Additionally, the subproject will conduct a full soil data baseline (all major plant nutrients and soil properties) as a courtesy to all projects involved.

Principle investigators:
Yvonne Oelmann, University of Tübingen
Thomas Scholten, University of Tübingen
Steffen Seitz, University of Tübingen

Doctoral researcher:
Haikuo Zhang, University of Tübingen

Chinese partners:
Yu Lian, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Peking
Naili Zhang, Beijing Forestry University

By collecting data on community composition, consumption rates, body mass and elemental contents of arthropods as well as direct feeding links at higher trophic levels, we aim at predicting the responses of the multitrophic plant-herbivore-predator system to tree diversity loss. We specifically extend previous work by including three trophic levels (trees, herbivorous arthropods and predatory arthropods) and by linking multitrophic communities and their interactions with biomass distributions and stoichiometry to enable the analysis of trophic pyramids and energy-based networks. We will also record tritrophic species-level networks for selected tree species. We will use novel methods in the BEF-China Experiment (stoichiometry, gut content barcoding in collaboration with our Chinese collaborators) and will collect additional arthropod groups from other vegetation strata using multiple collection methods.

Principle investigators:
Jana Petermann, University of Salzburg
Andreas Schuldt, University of Göttingen

Doctoral researcher:
Mareike Mittag, University of Salzburg

Chinese partners:
Douglas Chesters, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing
Ming-Qiang Wang, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu

Subproject 4 aims to distinguish tree-diversity driven bottom-up functions, acting on quantitative interaction networks of cavity-nesting Hymenoptera across trophic levels, including their food resources and natural enemies and tests drivers of cavity-nesting community establishment under natural conditions in dead wood as alternative nests.

Principle investigators:
Alexandra-M. Klein, University of Freiburg
Felix Fornoff, University of Freiburg
Manuela Sann, University of Hohenheim

Doctoral researcher:
Massimo Martini, University of Freiburg

Chinese partner:
Arong Luo, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing

Partner:
Michael Orr, Natural History Museum Stuttgart

SP5 addresses key questions at the bridge of functional biodiversity, population and community ecology research in forests by combining information from observational and experimental approaches. Our main objectives are to quantify the contribution of tree diversity on (i) the reproductive cycle stages of trees that are particularly affected by invertebrate interactions, (ii) pre- and post-dispersal seed predation and (iii) germination and seedling herbivory as trophic interactions that affect these reproductive cycle stages as well as (iv) the contribution of generalist and specialists to these trophic interactions. 

Principle investigators:
Alexandra Erfmeier, University of Kiel
Tim Diekötter, University of Kiel

Doctoral researcher:
Feilong Ji, University of Kiel

Chinese partner:
Zhi-Shu Xiao, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing

The overall objectives of SP6 are to test if experimentally manipulated tree diversity influences the diversity, trait distribution, trophic interactions and ecosystem functions of ants. The main objectives of this sub-project are (1) Quantify the diversity and functional trait distribution of ants in all 300 core plots; (2) Identify the trophic position and assess trophic interactions of ants ; (3) Measure the ecosystem function “scavenging” in the VIP plots and test how the interplay between tree diversity, ant diversity, trait distribution and trophic interactions influences ecosystem functionality.

Principle investigators:
Michael Staab, University of Darmstadt
Heike Feldhaar, University of Bayreuth

Doctoral researcher:
Joshua Spitz, University of Darmstadt

Chinese partner:
Xiaojuan Liu, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Peking

The objectives of Z2 are:

• ensure efficient data management and promote synergies in the processing of data among MultiTroph’s SPs through extensive services provided by training courses and the maintenance and ongoing development of the BEF-China data portal, as well as supporting data and code open access publication strategy,
• develop early synthesis connecting MultiTroph’s SPs based on available and newly generated data that link up network structure, multidiversity, and multifunctionality. Multidiversity assembly and trophic interactions need time to establish. For this reason, including previous data from BEF-China is essential.

Principle investigators:
Andreas Schuldt, University of Göttingen
Helge Bruelheide, University of Halle

Postdoctoral researcher:
Georg Albert, University of Göttingen

Chinese partner:
Huijie Qiao, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing
Xiaojuan Liu, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing
Yi Li, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing