Linking microclimate, deadwood microbial diversity, adaptation mechanisms and ecosystem processes

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Claus Bässler; Dr. Harald Kellner
• Subject Area: Forestry ; Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 451805964

Deadwood dependent fungi and bacteria are among the most species-rich groups in forests and contribute substantially to the functioning of ecosystems due to their involvement in the turnover of organic matter. So far, most studies focused on the relationship between fungal and bacterial diversity and resource and host-related factors, such as, e.g., deadwood volume or tree species identity. However, our understanding how abiotic factors like microclimate shape wood-dependent communities and related ecosystem processes including decomposition is rudimentary. Moreover, potential adaptation mechanisms to a change in microclimate conditions are not well understood. Currently, our forests face heavy climate-induced canopy dieback at an unprecedented and large spatial and geographic scale that change strongly the microclimate conditions in forest ecosystems. Furthermore, microclimate changes in forest ecosystems takes place also during regular forest management via logging and therefore manipulation of the canopy. To improve predictions and to provide mitigation concepts in times of climate change we need a better understanding on the relationship between microclimate, wood-dependent diversity and related decomposition processes. Here, we take advantage of an existing large long-term deadwood experiment and propose a novel add-on experiment to test hypotheses related to the influence of microclimate on fungal and bacterial communities assembly mechanisms, subsequent diversity pattern and related decomposition processes. We will particularly use molecular methods to characterize fungal and bacterial communities and to learn more about adaptive mechanisms. Our results provide a deeper mechanistic understanding on the microclimate-deadwood-dependent diversity relationship and its functional consequences aiding the development or improvement of forest management concepts and help to find a balance between timber production and biological diversity in forests. This is particularly important in the context of global change, the increasing frequency and severity of climate-induced disturbance events and the ongoing discussions about climate-smart forestry practices.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Czech Republic
• Partner Organisation: Czech Science Foundation
• Cooperation Partner: Vendula Brabcová, Ph.D.