How are soil functions influenced by land use and biodiversity?

Picture: The photograph shows a round tall metal tray on a laboratory bench containing twenty-one cylindrical small glass or plastic containers with white screw caps. The containers are filled with soil samples. Next to the containers in the tray is a slip of paper with the word "unground" handwritten on it.

Goals and methods

As the core project soil, we provide important information on soil properties and functions from all 300 experimental plots of the Biodiversity Exploratories for the overall project. We are significantly involved in the coordination and implementation of joint soil sampling of core and sub-projects working in soil biology, microbiology and soil science and in synthesis activities.

Our project includes:

(1) The monitoring of relevant soil properties such as enzyme activities in the Biodiversity Exploratories.
(2) The monitoring of litterfall on the forest plots
(3) The determination of nutrient removal from the soil (N, P, S, K, Mg, Ca) (in situ)
(4) The measurement of autotrophic and heterotrophic soil respiration and its seasonal variability (in situ)
(5) To study the formation and turnover of mineral-associated soil organic matter with mineral bags (in situ)
(6) To investigate the importance of nutrient availability (N,P) for soil organic matter mineralisation and rhizosphere priming (lab incubations).

Picture: The photo shows four scientists taking soil samples in a beech forest in spring.

Coordinated soil sampling

Soda Lime Traps

Picture: The photo shows the situation of filling a mineral container. On a work table there is a flat glass bowl containing the mineral container. The round flat container is filled with an orange-brown soil substance. Above the container you can see the arms and hands of a person wearing a lab coat and green latex gloves. The left hand holds a glass beaker while the right hand holds a spoon in the beaker to pick up the remains of the soil substance still in it

Mineral bag

Enzyme analysis

Hypotheses

We are guided by the hypothesis that increased management intensity reduces carbon and nutrient stocks in forest soils, while this effect is less visible in grassland soils due to fertilisation.

We address the following guiding questions:

How do land use and biodiversity affect the carbon and nutrient balance of soils? What feedback mechanisms occur?
Are short-term and long-term forest and grassland management reflected in soil properties and especially in soil carbon turnover?
Which microbial groups respond most strongly to the addition of readily available carbon and nutrient sources?
What role do land use and biodiversity play in carbon and nutrient mineralisation? How are carbon and nutrient mineralisation coupled? How do the nutrients released by mineralisation behave in the soil?

Publications

Forest Structure and Fine Root Biomass Influence Soil CO2 Efflux in Temperate Forests under Drought

Waldstruktur und Feinwurzelbiomasse beeinflussen den CO2-Ausstoß des Bodens Ausstoß in gemäßigten Wäldern unter Trockenheit

Apostolakis A., Schöning I., Michalzik B., Ammer C., Schall P., Hänsel F., Nauss T., Trumbore S., Schrumpf M. (2023): Forest Structure and Fine Root Biomass Influence Soil CO2 Efflux in Temperate Forests under Drought. Forests 14 (2), 411. doi: 10.3390/f14020411

Radiocarbon constraints reveal time scales of soil carbon persistence

Radiokohlenstoffbeschränkungen offenbaren Zeitskalen für die Persistenz von Kohlenstoff im Boden

Beem-Miller J. (2023): Radiocarbon constraints reveal time scales of soil carbon persistence. Dissertation, Leibniz Universität Hannover. doi: 10.15488/15420

Direct and plant community mediated effects of management intensity on annual nutrient leaching risk in temperate grasslands

Apostolakis A., Schöning I., Klaus V. H., Michalzik B., Bischoff W.- A., Boeddinghaus R. S., Bolliger R., Fischer M., Hölzel N., Kandeler E., Kleinebecker T., Manning P., Marhan S., Neyret M., Oelmann Y., Prati D., Kleunen M., Schwarz A., Schurig E., Schrumpf M. (2022): Direct and plant community mediated effects of management intensity on annual nutrient leaching risk in temperate grasslands. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 123, 83–104. doi: 10.1007/s10705-022-10209-1

Dark CO2 fixation in temperate beech and pine forest soils

Akinyede R., Taubert M., Schrumpf M., Trumbore S., Küsel K., (2022): Dark CO2 fixation in temperate beech and pine forest soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 165, 108526. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108526

Drivers of soil respiration across a management intensity gradient in temperate grasslands under drought

Apostolakis A., Schöning I., Michalzik B., Klaus V. H., Boeddinghaus R. S., Kandeler E., Marhan S., Bolliger R., Fischer M., Prati D., Hänsel F., Nauss T., Hölzel N., Kleinebecker T., Schrumpf M. (2022): Drivers of soil respiration across a management intensity gradient in temperate grasslands under drought. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 124, 101–116. doi: 10.1007/s10705-022-10224-2

Land use effects on carbon and nutrient fluxes in soils

Apostolakis A. (2022): Land use effects on carbon and nutrient fluxes in soils. Dissertation, University Jena

The dark side of primary production in temperate forest soils

Akinyede R. (2022): The dark side of primary production in temperate forest soils. Dissertation, University Jena

The ubiquitous soil verrucomicrobial clade “Candidatus Udaeobacter” shows preferences for acidic pH

Willms I. M., Bolz S. H., Yuan J., Krafft L., Schneider D., Schöning I., Schrumpf M., Nacke H. (2021): The ubiquitous soil verrucomicrobial clade “Candidatus Udaeobacter” shows preferences for acidic pH. Environmental Microbiology Reports 13 (6), 878-883. doi: 10.1111/1758-2229.13006

Effect of forest gaps on soil enzymatic activity and tea bag decomposition index in the Hainich-Dün Biodiversity Exploratory

Einfluss von Waldlücken auf die enzymatische Aktivität des Bodens und den Tea Bag Zersetzungsindex im Biodiversitätsexploratorium Hainich-Dün

Enyedi B. (2021): Effect of forest gaps on soil enzymatic activity and tea bag decomposition index in the Hainich-Dün Biodiversity Exploratory. Master thesis, University of Jena

Enzymaktivitäten in den Waldböden der Biodiversitäts-Exploratorien der Schwäbischen Alb und deren Reaktion auf Lochhiebe und Totholzanreicherung

Haugeneder L. (2021): Enzymaktivitäten in den Waldböden der Biodiversitäts-Exploratorien der Schwäbischen Alb und deren Reaktion auf Lochhiebe und Totholzanreicherung. Bachelor thesis, University Jena

Globally Abundant “Candidatus Udaeobacter” Benefits from Release of Antibiotics in Soil and Potentially Performs Trace Gas Scavenging

Die weltweit verbreiteten Bodenbakterien der Gruppe Candidatus Udaeobacter profitieren von der Freisetzung von Antibiotika

Willms I. M., Rudolph A. Y., Göschel I., Bolz S. H., Schneider D., Penone C., Poehlein A., Schöning I., Nacke H. (2020): Globally Abundant “Candidatus Udaeobacter” Benefits from Release of Antibiotics in Soil and Potentially Performs Trace Gas Scavenging. mSphere 5: e00186-20. doi: 10.1128/mSphere.00186-20

Distribution of Medically Relevant Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Mobile Genetic Elements in Soils of Temperate Forests and Grasslands Varying in Land Use

Verbreitung von medizinisch relevanten Antibiotikaresistenzgenen und mobilen genetischen Elementen in Wald- und Grünlandböden

Willms I. M., Yuan J., Penone C., Goldmann K., Vogt J., Wubet T., Schöning I., Schrumpf M., Buscot F., Nacke H. (2020): Distribution of Medically Relevant Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Mobile Genetic Elements in Soils of Temperate Forests and Grasslands Varying in Land Use. Genes 11 (2), 150. doi: 10.3390/genes11020150

Soil organic matter mineralization as driven by nutrient stoichiometry in soils under differently managed forest stands

Gan H. Y., Schöning I., Schall P., Ammer C., Schrumpf M. (2020): Soil organic matter mineralization as driven by nutrient stoichiometry in soils under differently managed forest stands. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change 3:99. doi: 10.3389/ffgc.2020.00099

Priming effect induced by different root exudate components in temperate forest soils

Protti Sánchez F. (2020): Priming effect induced by different root exudate components in temperate forest soils. Master thesis, University of Bayreuth

The Effects of Land Use and Management on Belowground Carbon and Nutrient Interactions

Gan H. Y. (2019): The Effects of Land Use and Management on Belowground Carbon and Nutrient Interactions. Dissertation, University Jena.

Unravelling the age of fine roots of temperate and boreal forests

Solly E., Brunner I., Helmisaari H.-S., Herzog C., Leppälammi-Kujansuu J., Schöning I., Schrumpf M., Schweingruber F., Trumbore S., Hagedorn F. (2018): Unravelling the age of fine roots of temperate and boreal forests. Nature Communications 9:3006. doi: 10.1038/S41467-018-05460-6

Carbon-nitrogen-interaction in the rhizosphere after addition of glukose and ammoniumnitrate

Kohlenstoff-Stickstoff-Interaktion in der Rhizosphäre nach Zugabe von Glukose und Ammoniumnitrat

Knolle F. (2017): Kohlenstoff-Stickstoff-Interaktion in der Rhizosphäre nach Zugabe von Glukose und Ammoniumnitrat. Bachelor Thesis thesis, Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry Jena

Einfluss von Landnutzung und Standorteigen-schaften auf den oberirdischen Streueintrag

Berg J. (2016): Einfluss von Landnutzung und Standorteigen-schaften auf den oberirdischen Streueintrag. Bachelor thesis, University Jena

Einflüsse unterschiedlicher Bewirtschaftung auf Kohlenstoffkonzentrationen und Kohlenstoffvorräte in Waldböden der Biodiversitäts-Exploratorien Schorfheide-Chorin, Hainich-Dün und Schwäbische Alb

Zilensek F. L. (2016): Einflüsse unterschiedlicher Bewirtschaftung auf Kohlenstoffkonzentrationen und Kohlenstoffvorräte in Waldböden der Biodiversitäts-Exploratorien Schorfheide-Chorin, Hainich-Dün und Schwäbische Alb. Bachelor thesis, University Jena

Yeast diversity and species recovery rates from beech forest soils

Yurkov A. M., Wehde T., Federici J., Schäfer A. M., Ebinghaus M., Lotze-Engelhard S., Mittelbach M., Prior R., Richter C., Röhl O., Begerow D. (2016): Yeast diversity and species recovery rates from beech forest soils. Mycological Progress 15 (8), 845–859. doi: 10.1007/s11557-016-1206-8

No depth-dependence of fine root litter decomposition in temperate beech forest soils

Abbau von Wurzelstreu im Boden hängt in Buchenwäldern nicht von der Bodentiefe ab

Solly E., Schöning I., Herold N., Trumbore S., Schrumpf M. (2015): No depth-dependence of fine root litter decomposition in temperate beech forest soils. Plant and Soil 393 (1), 273-282. doi: 10.1007/s11104-015-2492-7

The importance of rock fragment density for the calculation of soil bulk density and soil organic carbon stock

Die Bedeutung der Gesteindichte für die Berechnung von Boden-Lagerungsdichten und Boden-Kohlenstoffvorräten

Mehler K., Schöning I., Berli M. (2014): The importance of rock fragment density for the calculation of soil bulk density and soil organic carbon stock. Soil Science Society of America Journal 78 (4), 1186-1191. doi: 10.2136/sssaj2013.11.0480

Factors controlling decomposition rates of fine root litter in temperate forests and grasslands

Der Abbau von Feinwurzeln im Boden

Solly E., Schöning I., Boch S., Kandeler E., Marhan S., Michalzik B. Müller J., Zscheischler J., Trumbore S. E., Schrumpf M. (2014): Factors controlling decomposition rates of fine root litter in temperate forests and grasslands. Plant and Soil 382 (1-2), 203-218. doi: 10.1007/s11104-014-2151-4.

Variability of soil organic carbon stocks in managed forests on the national and regional scale

Grüneberg E. (2014): Variability of soil organic carbon stocks in managed forests on the national and regional scale. Dissertation, University Freiburg

The role of fine root litter for organic matter storage in soils

Solly E. (2014): The role of fine root litter for organic matter storage in soils. University Jena, Dissertation

Mean age of carbon in fine roots from temperate forests and grasslands with different management

Mittleres Kohlenstoffalter in Feinwurzeln von gemäßigten Wäldern und Grünländern mit unterschiedlicher Bewirtschaftung

Solly E., Schöning I., Boch S., Müller J., Socher S. A., Trumbore S. E., Schrumpf M. (2013): Mean age of carbon in fine roots from temperate forests and grasslands with different management. Biogeosciences 10, 4833-4843. doi: 10.5194/bg-10-4833-2013

Organic layer and clay content control organic carbon stocks in density fractions of differently managed German beech forests

Die Mächtigkeit der organischen Auflage und der Tongehalt bestimmen die Menge des in unterschiedlich bewirtschafteten Buchenwäldern gespeicherten Bodenkohlenstoffs

Grüneberg E., Schöning I. , Hessenmöller D., Schulze E.-D., Weisser W. W. (2013): Organic layer and clay content control organic carbon stocks in density fractions of differently managed German beech forests. Forest Ecology and Management 303, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2013.03.014

Fine root productivity and C dynamics in temperate grasslands and forests with different land uses

Stolze K. (2013): Fine root productivity and C dynamics in temperate grasslands and forests with different land uses. Bachelor thesis, University Jena

Characterizing microbial activity in coniferous and deciduous forest soils

Schäfer F. (2013): Characterizing microbial activity in coniferous and deciduous forest soils. Bachelor thesis, University Jena

Causes of variation in mineral soil C content and turnover in differently managed beech dominated forests

Verweilzeit von Kohlenstoff in Böden unterschiedlich bewirtschafteter Buchenwälder

Schöning I., Grüneberg E., Sierra C.A., Hessenmöller D., Schrumpf M., Weisser W.W., Schulze E.-D.(2013): Causes of variation in mineral soil C content and turnover in differently managed beech dominated forests. Plant and Soil 370 (1-2), 625-639. doi: 10.1007/s11104-013-1654-8

Assessment of yeast diversity in soils under different management regimes

Erschließung der Diversität von Hefen in Böden unterschiedlicher Landnutzung

Yurkov A. M., Kemler M., Begerow D. (2012): Assessment of yeast diversity in soils under different management regimes. Fungal EcologyFungal Ecology 5 (1), 24-35. doi: 10.1016/j.funeco.2011.07.004

Leucosporidium drummii sp. nov. a new member of Microbotryomycetes isolated from soil

Leucosporidium drumii sp. nov., ein neues Mitglied der Microbotryomycetes, isoliert aus Boden

Yurkov A. M., Schäfer A.M., Begerow D. (2012): Leucosporidium drummii sp. nov. a new member of Microbotryomycetes isolated from soil. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 62, 728–734. doi: 10.1099/ijs.0.027102-0

Soil fungal communities along biogeographical gradients in the German Biodiversity Exploratories:classical and high-throughput molecular techniques

Christ S. (2011): Soil fungal communities along biogeographical gradients in the German Biodiversity Exploratories: classical and high-throughput molecular techniques. Dissertation, University Leipzig

Fungal communities in bulk soil and stone compartments of different forest and soil types as revealed by a barcoding ITS rDNA and a functional laccase encoding gene marker

Christ S., Wubet T., Theuerl S., Herold N., Buscot F. (2011): Fungal communities in bulk soil and stone compartments of different forest and soil types as revealed by a barcoding ITS rDNA and a functional laccase encoding gene marker. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 43, 1292-1299. doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2011.02.022

Species accumulation curves and incidence-based species richness estimators to appraise the diversity of cultivable yeasts from beech forest soils

Artenhäufigkeits-Kurven und eine Abschätzung des Artenreichtums, um die Diversität von kultivierbaren Hefen aus Buchenwaldböden zu beurteilen

Yurkov A. M., Kemler M., Begerow D. (2011): Species accumulation curves and incidence-based species richness estimators to appraise the diversity of cultivable yeasts from beech forest soils. PLoS ONE 6(8): e23671. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023671

Regional organic carbon stock variability: A comparison between depth increments and soil horizons

Regionale Variabilität der organischen Kohlenstoffvorräte: Ein Vergleich zwischen Tiefenstufen und Bodenhorizonten

Grüneberg E., Schöning I., Kalko E.K.V., Weisser W. W. (2010): Regional organic carbon stock variability: A comparison between depth increments and soil horizons. Geoderma 155 (3-4), 426-433. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2010.01.002

Untersuchung lokaler Variationen von Kohlenstoffvorräten zur Beurteilung des potentiellen Einflusses von ausgelegtem Totholz

Baldeweg H. (2010): Untersuchung lokaler Variationen von Kohlenstoffvorräten zur Beurteilung des potentiellen Einflusses von ausgelegtem Totholz. Thesis, University Jena

Vergleich der Kohlenstoffvorräte der organischen Auflage und des Oberbodens von Buchen- und Edellaubholzwäldern im Naturraum Hainich-Dün-Hainleite

Türk M.-L. (2009): Vergleich der Kohlenstoffvorräte der organischen Auflage und des Oberbodens von Buchen- und Edellaubholzwäldern im Naturraum Hainich-Dün-Hainleite. Thesis, University Jena

Clavispora reshetovae

Yurkov A., Schäfer A. M., Begerow D. (2009): Clavispora reshetovae. Fungal Planet 35. Persoonia 23, 182-183

Barnettozyma vustinii

Yurkov A., Schäfer A.M., Begerow D. (2010): Barnettozyma vustinii. Fungal Planet 38. Persoonia 23, 188-189

Molekulare Untersuchungen zur Biodiversität von Bodenpilzen in ausgewählten Wald- und Grünlandflächen

Kurth F. (2008): Molekulare Untersuchungen zur Biodiversität von Bodenpilzen in ausgewählten Wald- und Grünlandflächen. Bachelor thesis. University Bochum

Bodenkohlenstoffvorräte in verschiedenen Waldbewirtschaftungsintensitäten im Hainich

Mehler K. (2008): Bodenkohlenstoffvorräte in verschiedenen Waldbewirtschaftungsintensitäten im Hainich. Thesis, Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry Jena

The so-called core projects of the BE emerged from the site selection project and the establishment of the exploratories (2006-2008). Since 2008, they have been providing the infrastructure and collecting important basic information on land use, diversity and ecosystem processes (long-term monitoring) for all projects. In addition, they coordinate project-wide activities such as various large-scale experiments.