B01 aims to assess whether differences in the chemical composition of treeDOM (throughfall, stemflow, litter leachate, root exudates) affect understory plants and microbial-ecological soil and subsurface processes. We will study the effect of tree species and land-use types on DOM and nutrients, from the vegetation canopy to the major rooting zone. Field-collected DOM and root exudates will be analyzed and used to assess effects on soil microbial processes. Mesocosm experiments will reveal relationships between DOM, plant performance, and soil microbial community processes. The combination of these comprehensive experimental approaches will yield novel insights in the relationships between treeDOM and ecological processes in forest understories.
PIs
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Prof. Dr. Beate Michalzik
Soil Science, Institute of Geography
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
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Prof. Dr. Nicole van Dam
Chair of Molecular Interaction Ecology, Institute of BiodiversityFriedrich Schiller University JenaMolecular Interaction Ecology, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
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Postdoctoral Researcher
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Dr. Karin Potthast
Soil Science, Institute of GeographyFriedrich Schiller University Jena
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Associated Postdoctoral Researcher
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Dr. Alexander Tischer
Soil Science, Institute of GeographyFriedrich Schiller University Jena
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Dr. Alexander Weinhold
Chair of Molecular Interaction Ecology, Institute of BiodiversityFriedrich Schiller University JenaMolecular Interaction Ecology, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
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Associated Researcher
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Dr. Marie-Cécile Gruselle
Soil Science, Institute of GeographyFriedrich Schiller University Jena |