Project Details
Projekt
Effect of plant diversity on ecosystem functions in grassland: the role of roots
Applicant
Professor Dr. Christof Engels
Subject Area
Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems
Term
from 2002 to 2012
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5468999
Human activities have led to strong reduction in plant diversity. There is an intensive debate on the consequences of diversity loss on ecosystem functions such as productivity, and cycling of carbon and mineral nutrients, as well as on the plant traits responsible for these ecosystem functions. In this subproject it is tried to assess the effects of plant diversity in experimentally established grassland plots on (a) biomass and nutrient accumulation in roots, (b) acquisition of soil resources by living roots and (c) release of organic carbon and nutrients into the soil by decaying roots. The experimental design allows to differentiate between effects of plant species number per se, and effects of functional attributes associated with specific plant groups on root characteristics. It is expected that the results will improve our knowledge about the processes involved in diversity effects on ecosystem functions, and finally may help to develop recommendations of agricultural measures for sustainable grassland management.
DFG Programme
Research Units
International Connection
Switzerland
Participating Person
Professor Dr. Bernhard Schmid
