Assessment and Ecosystem Functioning of Deadwood- and Airborne Saproxylic Microorganisms in Forests of Urban and National Park Areas

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Matthias Noll
• Subject Area: Ecology of Land Use ; Forestry
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 566293215

EcoAirSaps aims to investigate the saproxylic and lichenised fungal and bacterial biodiversity in and on natural deadwood as well as in the air in four cities and adjacent forests in temperate regions of Germany and tropical regions of Taiwan. Using a high-resolution taxonomic metabarcoding approach from environmental genomic DNA, traits such as generalists and specialists and their ability to disperse between urban and natural forest sites will be assigned and assessed. The project also analyses the colonisation and decomposition rates of sterilised, size-standardised native deadwood (Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur in Germany; Castanopsis cuspidata var. carlesii, Quercus longinux var. kuoi in Taiwan) and deadwood of a tree species not found in either region (Liquidambar styraciflua). The aim is to differentiate between microbial dispersal and its regional ecosystem performance in urban and forest areas. While fragmented urban forests tend to have lower microbial diversity than large, contiguous forest areas, some cities with native forest trees show an unexpectedly high diversity, which can be explained by the macroecological theory of island biogeography. The first hypothesis therefore investigates the diversity of wood-inhabiting microbial communities and lichens occurring on deadwood in urban and forest areas, considering factors such as weather, pollen dispersal, soil properties, deadwood availability, and dominant tree species. The second hypothesis investigates the mechanisms of long-distance dispersal between urban and forest areas in Taiwan and Germany and links them to climatic conditions, human activities, and native tree species. The third hypothesis focuses on the colonisation of deadwood blocks and compares the colonisation processes and diversity in temperate and tropical regions. The fourth hypothesis predicts higher deadwood decomposition as an ecosystem service in Taiwan compared to German sites, attributing the differences to climatic conditions and the expected higher saproxylic diversity. Overall, the study aims to provide comprehensive insights into microbial dispersal dynamics, contributing crucial information for conservation recommendations in urban areas and surrounding forests.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Taiwan
• Cooperation Partners: Professorin Dr. Yu-Ting Wu; Professor Dr. Chih-Kai Yang