Determine and assess benefits/impacts and trade-offs of agroecology, and identify best practices
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For this study, we are particularly interested in how certain agroecological land management practices across different soil and climatic conditions affect soil nitrogen and organic carbon stocks, stability, and dynamics. By exploring living labs across borders, together with our expertise and facilities dedicated to nitrogen and carbon isotopic measurements, we aim to clarify the mechanisms potentially driving the benefits of agroecology for soil systems. In doing so, specific site-based agroecological management practices may be identified and optimized, enhancing soil health and resilience against biological and climatic threats while promoting yield stability. In summary, we aim to investigate these topics through soil organic matter fractionation techniques and soil/organic matter fraction incubation studies, combined with δ13C and δ13C-CO2 measurements. This approach may reveal how agroecological management practices drive soil carbon accrual and priming effects, allowing us to adapt practices according to soil and climate conditions to maximize the benefits of the adopted practices.
Research group
The aim of the Research Unit “Plant-Soil-Atmosphere Exchange Processes” is the quantification of matter and isotope fluxes between plants, soil and the atmosphere and elucidation of the biogeochemical and physical processes behind them in a range of ecosystems from cropland and grassland to forest. The ultimate goal is to contribute to developing management strategies for increasing water and nutrient use efficiency and reducing environmental pollution.
Research focus
The current research focus of the group is on the effects of anthropogenic activities (fertilization regime, soil management) and global change (temperature, precipitation, land use) on soil functions and plant-soil-atmosphere interactions toward increasing water and nutrient use efficiency as well as carbon storage and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and nitrate leaching. To this end, laboratory incubation, lysimeter and field experiments are conducted, and sophisticated experimental and analytical techniques and facilities are developed.
Research interest
The influence of biotic and abiotic processes on biosphere–atmosphere exchange of trace gases
Stable isotopes in ecosystem research
Application of laser-based isotope analyzers
Plant–soil interactions
Influence of Global Change on ecosystems