Speaker
Description
Soil sustains life beyond water and forms the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems. Our project aims to deepen the understanding of soil stability and its pivotal role in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF). We specifically focus on the multidimensional intra- and inter-annual stability of soil properties.
This research is conducted within the framework of the Jena Experiment, where we investigate the short- and long-term effects of plant diversity on the stability of soil properties. To this end, we conducted seasonal sampling from 2024 to 2025 (spring, summer, fall, winter) at two soil depths (0-5 and 5-10 cm ). By analyzing aggregate formation, soil invertebrate feeding activity, extracellular polymeric substances and phospholipid-derived fatty acids, and microbial biomass and respiration along an experimental plant diversity gradient, we explore the interplay between the biological and physical dimensions of soil stability and examine how community assembly influences BEF relationships.
Initial analyses show that most functions were sensitive to seasonal variation, particularly in the upper soil layer. Moreover, water-stable aggregate stability increased with plant species richness.
In the next months, detailed analysis on the stability of all functions will be carried out. Additionally, the interplay of these functions and their stability will be assessed by defining a multistability index. By doing so, we aim to uncover the mechanisms that stabilize soil properties and ultimately provide valuable insights into ecosystem functionality in the face of global change.
| Status Group | Doctoral Researcher |
|---|---|
| Poster Presentation Option | Yes, I’m willing to present as a poster. |
