Ecosystem functioning of sub-mediterranean regions. The functional frontier among Mediterranean and Eurosiberian plant communities (ECOFUMER)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Klaus Birkhofer, since 11/2023
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems
• Term: from 2020 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 441909701

Mediterranean ecosystems are located in an intermediate position in the biogeographical gradient ranging from temperate to semi-arid forests. The Iberian Peninsula is one of the largest boundaries between Mediterranean and Eurosiberian vegetation (known as subMediterranean zone). In sub-Mediterranean zones, small variations of the local environmental conditions may result in different species compositions and may create a mosaic of Mediterranean and Eurosiberian communities. Sub-Mediterranean zones are highly vulnerable ecosystems, making them a priority area of interest for applied and basic diversity research. The main goal of ECOFUMER is to understand patterns in the functional structure (trait diversity and composition) of plant communities and to identify processes that drive community assembly in one of the most important 'biodiversity hotspots' of Europe (sub-Mediterranean zones). In addition, information provided by this project will be used as source for the development of mechanistic models forecasting community responses to future scenarios of climate change. Within this framework, the following specific objectives are: Objective 1 “Time series on sub-Mediterranean forest” – Evaluate how sensitive woodlands from sub-Mediterranean zones are to climatic fluctuations (based on existing data from Hayedo de Montejo; included in the world heritage list of the UNESCO). To define the impact of climatic variation on the functional structure of sub-Mediterranean woodland ecosystems, permanent plots have been monitored in a long-term study over the previous 25 years in “El Hayedo de Montejo” forest. We will relate community-level functional indices to measured environmental variables in this study area. Second, we will build models of functional diversity indices as a function of environmental variables and will provide predictions for the functional structure of communities based on future scenarios of climatic change.Objective 2 “Grassland assembly in sub-Mediterranean Dehesas” - Evaluate the effect of environmental variables and biotic interactions on the functional diversity and distribution of Sub-Mediterranean grassland communities (based on field studies and existing data from the Valdebezana´s Valley). For this purpose, we will quantify variation in above- and below-ground functional traits of herbaceous plant communities in five types of Dehesas. The links between these properties and environmental variables will then be analyzed. In addition, we will use a trait-based approach to provide an assessment of potential niches for a large range of species. This assessment based on species specific traits and environmental preferences will allow us to predict niche shifts of species under future environmental change. Objective 3 “Synthesis”– This study will provide insights into the biogeography of Mediterranean plants and ecosystem functioning with respect to water and carbon fluxes along the Iberia Peninsula.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Enrique García de la Riva, Ph.D., until 11/2023