People, pollution and pathogens -- mountain ecosystems in an human-altered world

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Hans-Peter Grossart, since 3/2019
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems ; Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry ; Ecology of Land Use ; Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals and Ecosystems, Organismic Interactions
• Term: from 2016 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 314661206

The P³ project will conduct ecological research and policy relevant actions on pollution, pathogens and anthropological impacts in mountain ecosystems, especially at the interface of aquatic and terrestrial habitats and in the socio-ecological system. The research will be conducted in four mountain ranges: the Pyrenees (France), Dhofar Mountains (Oman), Sierra Nevada (USA) and the Great Hinggan Mountain (China). The mountain ranges proposed to be studied in P³ are on different continents with shared characteristics, but also with differences allowing for the analysis of the different societal and ecological contexts, which will be studied along altitudinal gradients. P³ will augment, align and focus research strands already ongoing in the institutions of P³ partners. The principal aim of P³ is to understand the impact of climate change on mountain watersheds and the risks for stakeholders and the general public. In a first step, P³ will develop a common database, combining information on the different mountain ranges in focus of P³, will establish an international network of mountain field stations, collect data along gradients on pollution and pathogens in the socio-ecological context and will use this data to model different biotic and abiotic parameters. Based on historical and newly collected data, P³ will develop dynamic indicators and develop essential biodiversity variables relevant for the mountain context to facilitate the engagement with the general public, stakeholders and policymakers. P³ aims to raise awareness for the changes in mountain ecosystems around the world. P³ will then develop a set of headline indicators using the mountains as sentinels and to elaborate policy recommendations to establish mountain freshwater ecosystem as sentinels for biodiversity and climate change. The latter will be summarized in the Mountains as sentinels of change concept note MESC.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: China, France, USA
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Gael Le Roux; Professor Dr. Ji Shen; Professor Dr. Vance Vredenburg
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Dirk Schmeller, until 3/2019