ProjectMultiTroph – Trophic interaction, tree diversity and soil erosion effects on soil-plant stoichiometry

Basic data

Acronym:
MultiTroph
Title:
Trophic interaction, tree diversity and soil erosion effects on soil-plant stoichiometry
Duration:
01/10/2022 to 30/09/2026
Abstract / short description:
Research Context: Nutrients are an essential link between trophic levels and within networks. Tree diversity can influence nutrient cycling across trophic levels. However, the inherent complexity of each level and interactions between trophic levels limit our understanding of tree diversity effects on nutrient cycling and thus predicting forest ecosystem response to biodiversity loss.
Hypotheses: In this project, we plan to investigate the redistribution of nutrients by erosion and nutrient interactions between soil microorganisms (consumers) and plants (primary producers) along the BEF-China tree diversity gradient. Our hypotheses are: (1) Soil erosion redistributes nutrients along slopes, altering soil nutrient availability to microorganisms and trees. Eroded areas have lower nutrient availability and force recycling processes, while depositional areas are dominated by nutrient overgrowth. (2) Microorganisms in the soil under diverse tree mixtures recycle nutrients and uptake them more efficiently ("nutrient overgrowth"), with "nutrient overgrowth" dominating. (3) Trees also absorb and recycle nutrients more efficiently. Recycling is more important in this process. Consequently, depending on the trophic level, the contribution of the two processes differs, causing the stoichiometric response of trophic levels to tree diversity to diverge.
Methods: We will use a stoichiometric approach and examine trophic interactions in relation to nutrient cycling. We will combine modern flume-based sediment flux measurements, nutrient analyses in soil, plants, and animals, and determination of oxygen isotope signatures in phosphate. The project will include a complete soil data collection (all major nutrients and soil properties) that will be available to all subprojects of the research group.
Innovation: we will continue the unique long-term monitoring of soil properties. We will investigate the influence of tree diversity on lateral solute transport by erosion, which involves the redistribution of nutrients and other aboveground components such as litter, pollen, plant debris, and organisms, and has received little attention in biodiversity research. We are addressing the question of whether higher trophic levels, such as soil microorganisms that use tree litter as food, respond to tree diversity in the same way as low trophic levels.
Scientists: The project is carried out by Yvonne Oelmann (PI), Steffen Seitz and Thomas Scholten (Co-PIs) (University of Tübingen) in collaboration with our Chinese partners Yu Liang (Chinese Academy of Sciences) and Naili Zhang (Beijing Forestry University).
Keywords:
Stöchiometrie
Stoffflüsse
matter fluxes
soil
Boden
biodiversity
Biodiversität
soil erosion
Bodenerosion
soil science
Bodenkunde

Involved staff

Managers

Faculty of Science
University of Tübingen
Department of Geoscience
Faculty of Science
Geography Research Area
Department of Geoscience, Faculty of Science

Contact persons

Faculty of Science
University of Tübingen
Geography Research Area
Department of Geoscience, Faculty of Science

Other staff

Geography Research Area
Department of Geoscience, Faculty of Science

Local organizational units

Geography Research Area
Department of Geoscience
Faculty of Science

Funders

Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Cooperations

Peking, China
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