Environmental Physiology and Functional Ecology
Soils, plants and ecosystems
- Research themes
Plant ecophysiology and experimental ecology
Ecophysiology represents the study of short-term acclimation and long-term adaptation of plants to changing environmental conditions. These includes photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, water and mineral uptake. The research range from physiological processes of plants to studies on soil-plant interactions within ecosystems. A key question is the integration of plant ecophysiology into ecosystem functioning and development. Read more
Biological soil crusts - Brandenburg
In many ecosystems of the world biological soil crusts play an important role for ecosystem processes. These biocrusts are assemblages of cyanobacteria, green algae, bacteria mosses, liverworts, fungi and/or lichens. BSC are highly stress tolerant under extreme environmental conditions. The understanding of pattern formations and interactions with biogeochemical and biotic processes are important for ecological theory and for applications in restoration ecology. Read more
Ecophysiology of pioneer trees - Brandenburg
It is crucial to understand growthl responses of trees to climate variability and soil conditions. Therefore, more detailed ecophysiological informations are required. In this context, a research focus are ecophysiological adaptations of pionieer trees on marginal lands and reclaimed post-mining-sites. Read more
Restoration ecology of post-mining sites - Brandenburg
Open-cast mining are often large scale disturbances, which affects entire landscapes and ecosystem processes. These initial soils, consisting of excavated and dumped material, are characterized by a high vulnerability to erosion, low water holding capacity, lack of nutrients, low pH or sparse vegetation. Such harsh human impacts create the need for remediation and restoration measures for mining regions that address classical agricultural services, forestry and nature conservation. Read more
Tree-crop interactions: microclimate and ecophysiology
The Western Cape Province in South Africa is characterized by a high evaporation and high wind speeds, which have implications on crop water demands and on water availability in the region. In particular in the last decade, the cultivation of wine and other irrigated orchards increased in the region. Objectives of our research are physiological processes of tree-crop interactions in agroforestry systems and their relations to microclimate in South Africa. Read more
- New publications
Identification of spatial pattern of photosynthesis hotspots in biological soil crusts by combining chlorophyll fluorescence imaging and multispectral BNDVI images
For the evaluation of biocrusts functions and their impact on soil carbon pools, the analysis of the interrelationship between photosynthetic activity and the variations of spatial distribution pattern and types of biocrust is indispensable. For this purpose, an image processing approach was applied that combined chlorophyll fluorescence analyses and multispectral BNDVI to comprehensively characterize the spatial patterns of photosynthetic hotspots in biological soil crusts. Read more
Agrarholz - Schnellwachsende Bäume in der Landwirtschaft
Springer Spektrum August 2018
Planting of trees into agricultural systems have economical benefits as they provide timber and and fuelwood and other products. It is well recognized, that these shelterbelts enhance biodiversity and have positive effects on the ecosystem functioning. In those contemporary agroforestry systems, selection of tree species and their management are more economically oriented towards an optimizing biomass production, use and harvest, especially in short-rotation systems for bioenergy. The book give an overview about biology, ecology and management of fast-growing trees in agroforestry and short-rotation forestry. Read more