Dynamics of soil aggregation as affected by land use in grasslands and forests

Figure: The photo shows a flock of sheep with goats between them on a green meadow. In the background you can see a deciduous forest with the beginning of autumn leaf color.

Goals

1. Determine how land use and fungal type/diversity affect soil aggregation dynamics in the field

2. Isolate contributions of fungi (mycorrhiza/saprobe) and bacteria to aggregation dynamics in the greenhouse

Methods

1. Quantify aggregate and fungal (AMF, ecto/saprobe) abundance in all 300 EPs
Bury HIGCs containing de-aggregated soil in each plot, recover after several months

2. Quantify aggregate turnover rates in all 57 VIPs
Bury HIGCs containing REE labeled soil, then harvest after several weeks
Also measure fungal (AMF, ecto/saprobe) hyphal lengths

3. Isolate contributions of soil microbes to soil aggregate turnover (REEs)
Fully factorial greenhouse experiment
AMF, saprobic fungi, and bacteria in sterile soils

Scientific assistants

Project manager

Prof. Dr. Matthias Rillig

Freie Universität Berlin

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Alumni

Dr. Erik Verbruggen