Project Details
Projekt
GRK 1086: The Role of Biodiversity für Biogeochemical Cycles and Biotic Interactions in Temperate Deciduous Forests
Subject Area
Plant Sciences
Term
from 2005 to 2014
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 446768
The relationship between biodiversity and productivity, biogeochemical cycles and biotic interactions is in the centre of current ecological research. In contrast to grassland ecosystems, this relation has not been studied in depth in forests. There is a great need for studying the functional consequences of tree species diversity in forests, because Central European forestry is conducting a broad-scale conversion of monospecific into mixed stands. However, the consequences for ecosystem goods and services and system functioning are not understood.
The Research Training Group investigates the role of tree species diversity (1, 3 and 5 species) in species-rich, broad-leaved deciduous forests of the Hainich National Park (Thuringia, Central Germany) for productivity, carbon sequestration, nutrient and water turnover, deep seepage, nitrate leaching, and biotic interactions among key organism groups. An innovative focus will be set on canopy research by use of a mobile elevator van. The ten applicants from the faculties of biology, forestry and agronomy are experts in the fields of plant and animal ecology, soil sciences, ecological modelling and environmental economy, and have joined together in the Göttingen Centre of Biodiversity and Ecology (GCBE) and the Forschungszentrum Waldökosysteme (FZW). The Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry (Jena) has been integrated in the study programme with the research task of determining age and sequestration of soil carbon.
The Research Training Group offers fourteen PhD grants, one Postdoc grant, and three qualification grants for BSc graduates, and will include six additional PhD students with external financial support. The study and research programme is structured into three subprogrammes:
-- Biodiversity Analysis and Biotic Interactions
-- Biogeochemical Cycles
-- Synthesis
The study programme is strictly interdisciplinary and aims at educating highly qualified and innovative experts on the diversity-ecosystem functioning topic. With a broad background in ecology, forest sciences and environmental economy, they should be internationally competitive in research, but also in the field of applied forest management. Interdisciplinary and team-oriented research work shall be promoted by eleven workshops with international speakers on modern topics of biodiversity and ecosystems research, Summer Schools, and international excursions. The Research Training Group is closely linked to the newly established English-speaking PhD programme on Biodiversity and Ecology at the University of Göttingen, which guarantees international linking and synergism.
The Research Training Group investigates the role of tree species diversity (1, 3 and 5 species) in species-rich, broad-leaved deciduous forests of the Hainich National Park (Thuringia, Central Germany) for productivity, carbon sequestration, nutrient and water turnover, deep seepage, nitrate leaching, and biotic interactions among key organism groups. An innovative focus will be set on canopy research by use of a mobile elevator van. The ten applicants from the faculties of biology, forestry and agronomy are experts in the fields of plant and animal ecology, soil sciences, ecological modelling and environmental economy, and have joined together in the Göttingen Centre of Biodiversity and Ecology (GCBE) and the Forschungszentrum Waldökosysteme (FZW). The Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry (Jena) has been integrated in the study programme with the research task of determining age and sequestration of soil carbon.
The Research Training Group offers fourteen PhD grants, one Postdoc grant, and three qualification grants for BSc graduates, and will include six additional PhD students with external financial support. The study and research programme is structured into three subprogrammes:
-- Biodiversity Analysis and Biotic Interactions
-- Biogeochemical Cycles
-- Synthesis
The study programme is strictly interdisciplinary and aims at educating highly qualified and innovative experts on the diversity-ecosystem functioning topic. With a broad background in ecology, forest sciences and environmental economy, they should be internationally competitive in research, but also in the field of applied forest management. Interdisciplinary and team-oriented research work shall be promoted by eleven workshops with international speakers on modern topics of biodiversity and ecosystems research, Summer Schools, and international excursions. The Research Training Group is closely linked to the newly established English-speaking PhD programme on Biodiversity and Ecology at the University of Göttingen, which guarantees international linking and synergism.
DFG Programme
Research Training Groups
Applicant Institution
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Participating Institution
Max-Planck-Institut für Biogeochemie (MPI-BGC)
Participating Researchers
Professor Dr. Rolf Daniel; Professor Dr. Heinz Flessa; Privatdozent Dr. Dirk Gansert; Professor Dr. Gerd Gleixner; Professor Dr. Dirk Hölscher; Professor Dr. Christoph Leuschner; Professorin Dr. Andrea Polle; Professor Dr. Stefan Scheu; Professor Dr. Teja Tscharntke; Professor Dr. Edzo Veldkamp; Professorin Dr. Kerstin Wiegand
Spokesperson
Professor Dr. Rainer Marggraf
