Population dynamics of benthic foraminifera in terrestrial saline ponds and meadows in Germany in the context of a changing planet

• Applicants: Dr. Yvonne Milker; Dr. Joachim Schönfeld
• Subject Area: Geology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 546871015

Recent atmospheric warming and climate change will cause profound changes in the continental hydrosphere and soil ecosystems. Higher air temperatures will lead to enhanced evaporation, less infiltration and ground water recharge. These changing conditions will have a strong influence on terrestrial soil ecosystems, including terrestrial salt meadow and saline pond ecosystems. It has recently been shown that benthic foraminifera, which primarily live in marine and coastal environments, can also provide a tool to study ecosystem changes in terrestrial salt meadows and saline ponds. These unicellular and shell-bearing microorganisms constitute a yet disregarded part of saline soil ecosystems in Germany and beyond. Inland salt meadows and ponds not have been sufficiently explored to date. Detailed investigations are therefore necessary to better understand the colonization dynamics of foraminifera at various terrestrial saline locations in Germany, and their response to a changing climate. The proposed project will specifically answer the following questions: How does human-induced climate change affect the population dynamics of foraminifera in terrestrial salt ponds and meadows? The extent to which climate change affect these benthic ecosystems will be investigated by a long-term monitoring of foraminiferal populations and pore water salinity at suitable locations. How did benthic foraminifera colonize the salt ponds and meadows in central and northern Germany? The investigation of saline ecosystems in northern Germany with those in central Germany will elucidate the colonization dynamics and the lower salinity tolerance limits for foraminifera. When have foraminifera colonized the inland salt ponds and meadows? This question will be answered by an investigation of saline areas that were related to potash salt mining when the start of production is known. Hand-drilling of short sediment cores will allow a look back into the past. Is there an endemic development of benthic foraminifera in the salt ponds and meadows in Germany? To answer this question, gene barcoding and phylogenetic investigations will clarify the taxonomic status of the inland foraminifera.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Switzerland
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Peter Frenzel
• Cooperation Partner: Dr. Maria Holzmann