Objective
The aim of the research is to quantify and increase the understanding of biogeochemical cycling of elements, hydrology, turnover of biomass and the effects of atmospheric deposition on forest ecosystems. Special emphasis is placed on soil conditions
The project is a further development of a joint project which has existed since 1987 involving the universities of Lyngby (Copenhagen) DK, Wageningen NL, Munich DE, Göttingen DE and Dublin, IE. The project includes an extension of this cooperation for another 2 year period, and it includes an expansion with one new partner, Lund SE, adding expertise on development and application of models to all EXMAN sites. In the coming project period the scientific scope of the project has been harmonized towards more basic ecosystem research in the sense that all sites will have roof covered research plots in order to be able to perform experimental manipulations with the ecosystem hydrology (drought stress).
The scientific approach is to perform comparable manipulations of forest ecosystems under a wide range of soil, atmospheric and ecological conditions, and thereby to improve understanding of human impact on basic ecosystem functioning and dynamics. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the scientific basis required for the refinement of EC policy on atmospheric quality and the legislation which will emanate from that policy.
Manipulation experiments are established under the frame of long-term basic ecosystem studies at six sites in Europe. As far as possible the same experimental approach, methods, type of forest etc. is used, but the atmospheric inputs of S and N compounds are differrent. The sites are: Klosterhede DK (medium atmospheric inputs), Harderwijk and Kootwijk NL (high atmospheric inputs), Höglwald DE (medium atmospheric inputs), Solling DE (high atmospheric inputs), and Ballyhooly IE (low atmospheric inputs). The manipulations comprise drought, fertigation to arrive at optimal soil chemical conditions for tree growth, liming, fertilization, experimental acidification, irrigation, and water- and nutrient removal.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologycivil engineeringwater engineeringirrigation
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrology
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturearboriculture
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystems
- agricultural sciencesagricultural biotechnologybiomass
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
2970 HOERSHOLM
Denmark