Microphytobenthos community recovery: time scales of asymmetric recovery and the modulation of priority effects by stressor severity (A03)

• Subject Area: Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Limnology, Urban Water Management, Water Chemistry, Integrated Water Resources Management
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 426547801

In Phase II, project A03 will focus on biotic interactions in the form of priority effects as a hypothesised component of asymmetric recovery of periphytic communities. As a second main aspect, to improve generalisability and/or predictability of diatom community re-assembly, we will explore a trait-based framework using ecological guilds as trait clusters. We will test hypotheses about the effects of guild membership upon drought tolerance and priority effects across a range of experimental complexities and time scales (laboratory through stream mesocosms to field).

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1439: Multilevel response to stressor increase and release in stream ecosystems (RESIST)
• Applicant Institution: Universität Duisburg-Essen
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Bánk Beszteri