Belowground Root Turnover and Root Traits

• Applicants: Professorin Dr. Liesje Mommer; Professorin Dr. Alexandra Weigelt
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems
• Term: from 2010 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 163658437

We will quantify belowground multidimensional niche differentiation and overlap among co-occurring species to study resource use complementarity, which is thought to be one major mechanism for positive biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships. Such complementarity may occur if plants partition their resources when growing in mixtures, leading to reduced niche overlap. This subproject will break new ground in the study of belowground interactions by detailed measurements of root distribution based on classical root coring and innovative molecular species identification, combined with state-of-the-art isotopic and non-isotopic tracer applications to quantify root activity patterns in space and time. The study will use all plots of the Jena Experiment (large, established plots and new plots), as well as the environmentally controlled model systems (Montpellier Ecotron Experiment). In addition, mesocosm experiments will yield detailed information on speciesspecific root traits and belowground competitive intensity. In sum, this subproject will allow a direct quantification of niche partitioning and complementarity that amends former mathematical approaches (“additive partitioning”), to provide a functional and mechanistic basis for biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 1451: Exploring Mechanisms Underlying the Relationship between Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning
• International Connection: Netherlands
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Arthur Gessler; Professor Dr. Hans de Kroon; Professor Dr. Michael Scherer-Lorenzen