Warming Effects on Plant Soil interplay and ecosystem functioning in Wadden Sea Salt marshes - WEPSS
Salt marshes are highly dynamic ecosystems in the transition zone between marine and terrestrial environments, and are therefore characterised by a complex interplay of abiotic and biotic factors. They are a vital habitat for many plant, bird and invertebrate species, including soil fauna, and therefore, they play an important role in the protection of biodiversity. In addition, salt marshes are recognized for their high potential for ecosystems services such as carbon sequestration. Ecological research in the Wadden Sea salt marshes has previously mainly focussed on effects of livestock grazing; yet, we also need to understand how the valuable and sensitive salt marshes are affected by the on-going global change.
Photos: M. Latos, S. Nolte
The aim of this project is therefore to better understand effects of warming on the interplay between plants and the soil, and ecosystem functions in Wadden Sea salt marshes. To do so, a world-unique ecosystem warming experiment was installed at Hamburger Hallig including experimental passive aboveground and active belowground heating in three vegetation zones. We will study how plants and soil fauna, as well as their interactions, are affected by natural abiotic conditions and by experimental warming. Furthermore, we investigate how this interplay in turn affects critical ecosystem functions and services, especially in relation to greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, our results are expected to contribute to the development of sustainable management strategies for salt marshes in the Wadden Sea National Parks in times of climate change.
Project partners:
Applied Plant Ecology, Universität Hamburg:
- Dr. Stefanie Nolte
- Prof. Dr. Kai Jensen
- Dr. Simon Thomsen
- Eva Ostertag
- Salomé Gonçalves
Institute of Soil Science, Universität Hamburg:
- Prof. Dr. Lars Kutzbach
- Prof. Dr. Annette Eschenbach
- Dr. Norman Rüggen
- Miriam Fuß
Centrum für Naturkunde, Universität Hamburg:
- Prof. Dr. Andreas Schmidt-Rhaesa
Smithsonian Environmental Research Centre, Edgewater, USA:
- Dr. Roy Rich
- Dr. Peter Mueller
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Niederlande:
- Prof. Dr. Matty Berg
Netherlands Institut of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, Niederlande:
- Dr. Madhav P. Thakur
Landesbetrieb für Küstenschutz, Nationalpark und Meeresschutz Schleswig-Holstein:
- Dr. Martin Stock
- Duration: 2018-2021
- Sponsor: Bauer-Hollmann-Stiftung; Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft