Objectif To study the effects of community complexity (of both vegetation and soil (micro) organisms) on ecosystems processes and vegetation dynamics on former agricultural, set-aside, land. - To examine if the complexity of the community on set-aside agricultural land can be enhanced artificially by increasing plant species diversity. - To examine if, and how, a stepping stone approach may be used to enhance the colonisation of the soil of set-aside land by soil (micro)organisms of expected/desired successional stages. - To study the effects of community complexity, as well as manipulation of community development by increasing plant species diversity and by applying stepping stones in a north-south and east-west double gradient to get results applicable at a European scale. - To contribute to the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Initiative (TERI) of the European Union by establishing field sites that may be used for studying effects of changing land use, biodiversity and species interactions on ecosystem processes and ecosystem development.Key processes enhancing the transformation of set-aside agricultural land into restored natural ecosystems will be examined by six partners, offering expertise in plants and soil organisms, as well as biogeochemical cycles of nutrients, affecting biodiversity-related interactions and ecosystem processes. The soil biota involved concern bacteria, fungi (incl.endo- and ecyomycorrhizae), nematodes, insects and earth worms. Six countries participate in CLUE: Sweden, the Netherlands, France, Spain (representing a north-south gradient) and the Czech Republic and England (representing the extremes of the east-west gradient) to obtain results applicable at an European scale. The CLUE project team is organized interdisciplinary and each participant supplies specific expertise. At all six participating countries a similar main field experiment is set up where each participant collects both basic and specialised data. During joint field work shops (twice a year) all six field sites will be examined in order to collect a complete set of data from all sites, as well as to exchange approaches, knowledge and expertise. Results of CLUE will provide basic knowledge on key ecosystem processes determining rate and direction of natural vegetation development to extensively managed grassland and forest at former agricultural land. Two main applications of enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem development will be examined: 1. Enhancement of the initial diversity in vegetation. 2. Introduction of later-successional organisms via 'Stepping stones'. Champ scientifique natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologymycologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemsnatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyentomologysocial sciencespolitical sciencesgovernment systems Programme(s) FP4-ENV 2C - Specific programme of research and technological development in the field of environment and climate, 1994-1998 Thème(s) 01020203 - Biodiversity and environmental change Appel à propositions Data not available Régime de financement CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinateur ROYAL NETHERLANDS ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCE Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 22,Boterhoeksestraat 48 6666 ZG HETEREN Pays-Bas Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Participants (5) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution de l’UE Tout développer Tout réduire CAB International Royaume-Uni Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Queen's Gate SW7 5JR London Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE France Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Route de Mende 1919 34293 MONTPELLIER Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS Espagne Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 40,Calle Cordel de Merinas 40 37071 SALAMANCA Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée LUND UNIVERSITY Suède Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Ecology Building, Soelvegatan 37 223 62 LUND Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée University of South Bohemia Tchéquie Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 31,Branisovska 370 05 Ceské Budejovice Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée