TITLE OF THE PROJECT

Heathland Ecosystems and Global Change

PROJECT DURATION

2016-2018

SHORT DESCRIPTION

The aim of this study is to investigate the interaction effects of global change driver such as nitrogen deposition, increasing CO₂-concentration, and reduced air humidity on the heathland characterizing shrub Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull.

DESCRIPTION

The project focuses on the interaction effects of nitrogen deposition, increasing CO₂-concentration, and reduced air humidity (global change driver) on the heathland characterizing shrub Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull. It is likely that Calluna from different provenances of the distribution range (North-West Europe) will react differently to the same global change drivers. Furthermore, it is expected that Calluna’s sensitivity to global changes varies depending on the given life-history-stage.

In order to conserve heathland ecosystems, it is important to understand the effects of simultaneously occurring global change driver on Calluna.

The project includes a field experiment in Reinsehlen (nearby the nature reserve Lueneburg Heath) as well as a common garden experiment in Lüneburg. Both experiments analyze the single and interaction effects of nitrogen deposition, increased CO₂-concentration, and reduced air humidity on Calluna derived from different provenances and different life-history-stages.

FINANCED BY

Doctoral scholarship of the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt

INVOLVED RESEARCHER AT THE INSTITUT

Prof. Dr. Werner Härdtle

Karin Ibe (contact person)