EarthShape Chile 2

Connecting the green and the grey world - an experimental approach to separating climate, vegetation and geochemical effects on nutrient cycling along a climate gradient

01/01/2019 to 31/01/2022

This project is a direct follow-up on project 11 (entitled 'Connecting the green and the grey world') from Phase 1 of EarthShape and will contribute to EarthShape Cluster 1 (Micro-biota as the 'weathering engine') and Cluster 2 (Bio-mediated redistribution of material within the weathering zone). Collaborations established in Phase 1 (e.g. plant response to drought depending on nutrient availablility) will be continued, linking geoecology/soil science, geochemistry and plant ecology. By adressing the explicit role of biota (plants, soild microorganisms, and herbivores) in nutrient cycling, we will reveal their potential role as 'weathering engine' which is a backbone of EarthShape. Furthermore, outreach activities startet in Phase 1 will continue including installing educational trails at our two experimental sites in cooperation with the park managers. Along the trails, bi-lingual (Spanish & English) information boards will show EarthShape and our research activities to park visitors.