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Projekt Druckansicht

Biogeomorphologische Dynamiken auf Lateralmoränen im Turtmanngletschervorfeld, Schweiz (BIMODAL)

Antragsteller Professor Dr. Sebastian Schmidtlein, seit 7/2017
Fachliche Zuordnung Physische Geographie
Ökologie und Biodiversität der Pflanzen und Ökosysteme
Paläontologie
Förderung Förderung von 2014 bis 2019
Projektkennung Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 265919892
 
Erstellungsjahr 2019

Zusammenfassung der Projektergebnisse

The BIMODAL project investigated biogeomorphic feedbacks between vegetation and geomorphic processes in Turtmann glacier foreland (Switzerland) and contributed new scientific results to all objectives. (1) The dwarf shrub Dryas octopetala was identified as an alpine ecosystem engineer species and demonstrated how it affects mechanical, thermal and hydrological material and surface properties through its traits. D. octopetala possess high tensile strength roots, decreases sediment transport on moraine slopes and traps fine sediments. (2) Conditions for biogeomorphic feedbacks on lateral moraine slopes depend on the relationship between process magnitude and frequency of occurring processes and species resilience and resistance, as described in the biogeomorphic feedback window concept. In this biogeomorphic feedback window, ecosystem engineering can promote the development of turf-banked solifluction lobes as biogeomorphic structures with specific geomorphic and ecologic properties. (3) On a decadal scale, paraglacial adjustment of lateral moraine slopes is path-dependent and can be strongly influenced by ecosystem engineering. Jointly, paraglacial geomorphic processes and ecosystem engineering drive 'biogeomorphic patch dynamics' on the lateral moraine slopes. A panarchy approach links small scale ecosystem engineering and intermediate scale conditions for biogeomorphic feedbacks to larger scale biogeomorphic dynamics. The project results significantly advanced the understanding of biogeomorphic feedbacks in glacier forelands and are and will be followed up in several projects.

Projektbezogene Publikationen (Auswahl)

 
 

Zusatzinformationen

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