Das Projekt B1 'Allometrie und Raumbesetzung von krautigen und holzigen Pflanzen' ist Teil des Sonderforschungsbereiches 607 Wachstum und Parasitenabwehr und befindet sich bereits in der vierten Phase des seit 1998 laufenden Forschungsprojektes. Bisher wurde im Projekt B1 die Allometrie als Resultat der pflanzeninternen Steuerung der Allokation untersucht. Auf Individuenebene wurden Allometrie und ihre Veränderung für verschiedene Baumarten in verschiedenen ontogenetischen Stadien untersucht. Auf Bestandesebene wurden die self-thinning-Linien von Yoda und Reineke für krautige bzw. holzige Pflanzenbestände analysiert. Bisherige Allometriebestimmungen erbrachten für diese Arten zwar ähnliche Größenordnung aber auch charakteristische Unterschiede, die Ausdruck spezifischer Strategien der Raumbesetzung und -ausbeutung widerspiegeln. Die bisher vereinzelten Auswertungen sollen in Phase IV in eine übergreifende Analyse (versch. Arten, ontogenetische Stadien, Konkurrenzsituationen, Störfaktoren) der Allometrie auf Pflanzen- und Bestandesebene münden.
Die Erkennung von Veränderungen der Landbedeckung der Erdoberfläche auf der Basis von satellitengestützten Fernerkundungsdaten ist seit Jahrzehnten ein sehr aktives Forschungsfeld. Das Ziel des Landschaftsveränderungsdiensts ist es, freie Copernicus-Satellitendaten für eine automatische Ableitung von Landbedeckungsänderungen zu nutzen und diese Informationen regelmäßig für einzelne Landschaftselemente (z.B. für Waldgebiete, Wasserflächen, Landwirtschaftsflächen usw.) über einen Web Service bereitzustellen. Copernicus Daten eignen sich aufgrund der hohen zeitlichen (ca. 3-5 Tage, je nach Sensor) und mittleren räumlichen Auflösung (ab 10m) ideal für eine regelmäßige bundesweite flächendeckende Analyse der Landbedeckung. Um eine hohe Bearbeitungsleistung zu erreichen wird die 'Copernicus Data and Exploitation Platform - Deutschland' (CODE-DE) für die Datenverarbeitung und -analyse genutzt. Es können aktuelle und konsistenteste Informationen über Landdeckungsänderungen abgeleitet werden, um kontinuierlich Geodaten in einer einheitlichen Qualität zu pflegen (siehe Abbildung 1). Andererseits können die gewonnenen Informationen genutzt werden, um statistisch relevante Geoinformationen zur quantitativen Beschreibung der UN-SDG-Indikatoren zu extrahieren. Die 2015 verabschiedete Agenda 2030 mit 17 Entwicklungszielen (SDG) und 169 Unterzielen verknüpft das Prinzip der Nachhaltigkeit mit der ökonomischen, ökologischen und sozialen Entwicklung. Die Umsetzung erfordert einen soliden Überprüfungsmechanismus. Dieser soll durch eine regemäßige nationale Erfassung von ca. 200 definierten UN-SDG-Indikatoren erfolgen, mit dem Ziel Fortschritte zu monitoren und die Politik zu informieren.
Root competition for water and nutrient among species is an ubiquitous feature of terrestrial plant communities influencing abundance and distribution of plants and the dynamics of their communities. The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning has emerged as a central issue in ecological and environmental sciences. It is commonly believed that increasing species richness increases the stability of communities. Higher plant species diversity might lead to increased exploitation of spatially heterogeneous resources by spatial niche complementarity. Tree species mixtures are generally believed to enhance ecosystem functioning in forests by niche partitioning and complementary resource exploitation due to differences in tree height, crown form, root depth and/ or phenology. In the past, however, most studies focused on the aboveground interaction and coexistence of the tree species, while factors controlling belowground species interactions remain less clear. There is experimental evidence to suggest that below-ground competition in herbaceous communities is size-symmetric in homogeneous soil. However, recent studies in tree communities indicate that fine-root competition may be asymmetric. The main purpose of this project is to characterize the underground niche separation and competition in relation to tree species diversity in mixtures comprising spruce, beech, oak and Douglas fir. Structural traits and spatial distribution of fine roots were investigated using a soil core method and fine-root growth is being assessed using the ingrowth core technique at a site in Kaltenborn, which is part of the long-term biodiversity-ecosystem functioning experiment with tree species of temperate forests (BIOTREE). The objectives of this study were to test the following hypotheses: (1) overall level of soil exploitation increases with the tree species diversity; (2) competitive ability belowground is size-symmetric, and (3) the below-ground competitive ability is species specific. As part of this investigation, we will explore the potential of using Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy to identify the species identity of fine roots of the different tree species and to quantify the contribution of different fine roots in mixed root samples.
The aim of the current research is to identify regional sources and trans-boundary flow leading to the observed salinity of Lake Tiberias (LT) -also known as the Sea of Galilee or Lake Kinneret-, and its surroundings, which is considered the only natural surface fresh water reservoir of the area. The current study will include all sources of brines in the Tiberias Basin (TB) with specific emphasis of the relationship between the brines from the Ha'on and Tiberias Regions (HTR).The tasks will be achieved by a multidisciplinary approach involving: (i) numerical modelling of density-driven flow processes (i.e., coupled heat and dissolution of evaporites), (ii) hydrochemical studies, supplemented by investigations of subsurface structures.(i) Numerical modelling will be carried out by applying the commercial software FEFLOW® (WASY, GmbH) complemented with the open source code OpenGeoSys developed at the UFZ of Leipzig (Wang et al., 2009). The final goal is to build a 3D regional-scale model of density-driven flow that will result in: (1) revealing the different interactions between fresh groundwater and natural salinity sources (2) elucidate the driving mechanisms of natural brines and brackish water body's movements.(ii) Hydrochemical study will include major, minor and, if possible, rare earth elements (REE) as well as isotope studies. The samples will be analysed at the FU Berlin and UFZ Halle laboratories. Geochemical data interpretation and inverse modelling will be supported by PHREEQC. Hydrochemical field investigations will be carried out in Tiberias basin and its enclosing heights, i.e. the Golan, Eastern Galilee and northern Ajloun in order to search for indications of the presence of deep, relic saline groundwater infested by the inferred Ha'on mother-brine. The current approaches will be supplemented by seismic and statistical data analysis as well as GIS software applications for the definition of the subsurface structures. The key research challenges are: building a 3D structural model of selected regions of TB, adapting both structural and hydrochemical data to the numerical requirements of the model; calibrating the 3D regional-scale model with observational data. The results of this work are expected to establish suitable water-management strategies for the exploitation of freshwater from the lake and from the adjacent aquifers while reducing salinization processes induced by both local and regional brines.
The aim of ESONET is to create an organisation capable of implementing, operating and maintaining a network of ocean observatories in deep waters around Europe from the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea connected to shore with data and power links via fibre optic cables. The fundamental scientific objective is to make continuous real-time observations of environmental variables over decadal, annual, seasonal, diel and tidal time scales. Constant vigilance will allow resolution of quasi-instantaneous hazardous events such as slides, earthquakes, tsunamis and benthic storms. ESONET will form a sub sea segment of the GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) with sensors extending from the sub sea floor, through the water column to sub-surface sensors providing calibration of satellite borne sensors. ESONET brings together leading oceanographic and geosciences institutes in Europe together with universities, industry and regional agencies. It will provide integration across disciplines from geosciences, through physical, chemical and biological oceanography to technologies of instrumentation, cables, data processing and archiving. Jointly executed research will demonstrate functioning observatories at several cabled and non-cabled sites around Europe. Existing deep-sea cables installed for neutrino telescopes will be utilised in the Mediterranean sea and shallower tests sites will be established elsewhere. Principles of sensor management, calibration, metadata and data quality will be established with real-time dissemination and generation of hazard warning. ESONET will run a training and education program through courses, scholarships, exchange of personnel between participating institutes, and outreach to the general public. Dissemination will also include a web portal, with links to the INSPIRE Geo-Portal, and with all sub sea observatory projects worldwide, enabling the widest possible access to information. Prime Contractor: Institut Francais de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer; Issy-les-Moulineaux; France.
Project main goals: The main purpose of this project is to develop an innovative 400 kWth solar reformer for several applications such as Hydrogen production or electricity generation. Depending of the feed source for the reforming process CO2 emissions can be reduced significantly (up to 40 percent using NG), because the needed process heat for this highly endothermic reaction is provided by concentrated solar energy. A pre-design of a 1 MW prototype plant in Southern Italy and a conceptual layout of a commercial 50 MWth reforming plant complete this project. Key issues: The profitability decides if a new technology has a chance to come into the market. Therefore several modifications and improvements to the state-of-the-art solar reformer technology will be introduced before large scale and commercial system can be developed. These changes are primarily to the catalytic system, the reactor optimisation and operation procedures and the associated optics for concentrating the solar radiation. For the dissemination of solar reforming technology the regions targeted are in Southern Europe and Northern Africa. The potential markets and the impact of infrastructure and administrative restrictions will be assessed. The environmental, socio-economic and institutional impacts of solar reforming technology exploitation will be assessed with respect to sustainable development. The market potential of solar reforming technology in a liberalised European energy market will be evaluated. Detailed cost estimates for a 50 MWth commercial plant will be determined.
The major problems regarding biomass combustion are still the NOx and CO emissions, especially when the fuel becomes more diverse (high peaks during transients). The continuously changing fuel composition, the non-linearity of the process and the multi variability of the process makes it difficult to decrease the emissions further. Therefore classical control strategies are no longer effective. In order to improve the actual process control system, advanced control technologies based upon process models are needed. To achieve this goal static models have to be integrated with dynamic models. At present, no satisfying tools are available to describe the NOx formation in the fuel layer and the gas phase. Therefore, an extensive study on fuel layer and gas phase NOx formation mechanisms will be performed. The developed mechanisms will be integrated in a CFD combustion model and a static fuel layer model in order to be able to minimise the CO and NOx emission. Based upon experimental work and plant data, a new grate will be designed. A dynamic furnace model is developed for biomass combustion. Special measurements techniques will be used to gather actual plant data (2 plants, diverse fuels) to validate the models. The stochastic characteristics of the fuel will be revealed, which is used together with the dynamic model to investigate the disturbance rejection capacity of the plant. All information will be used to develop new control concepts and to design new combustion systems also from a dynamic point of view. These will be tested in an installation. The environmental survey of the influence of the proposed technology, a market analysis, information dissemination and exploitation strategies will be carried out.
This project aims at investigating a scientific and societal pressing subject which requires urgent attention: the geo-hazards associated with the imminent use of the Arctic Ocean under the changing conditions forced by Global Change. Due to the increasing temperatures, the Arctic region is experiencing a decline of glaciers and sea-ice. Sea-ice reduction will soon expose to exploration yet unknown seafloor and sub-seafloor geology. Given todays interest in natural resources exploitation, the Arctic regions will experience an increase in seafloor and sub-seafloor use and an accelerated development of infrastructures, especially in coastal and continental margin areas. The glacial environment of the Arctic land masses causes that physical processes along continental margins differ substantially from those at lower latitudes, where continental slopes are built with river-fed sediments and glacial influence is comparatively unimportant. Continental margins at lower latitudes are better studied because industrialized nations have previously focused their activities there. The response of the Arctic seafloor and sub-seafloor system to upcoming changes in physical oceanography and glacial conditions, and the resultant sedimentary processes are yet not understood. To evaluate the future response of the Arctic geological system to Global Change is necessary to further understand the interplay among past climate change, continental margin geology, and submarine slope stability. This project aims at filling that critical gap in understanding. The overarching goal of this project is to evaluate how the increase of temperature, within the bounds of current predictions, may change the behavior of the Arctic geological system and alter slope stability. To achieve the goal we will estimate the volume and rate of gas release into the atmosphere that might affect climate, and evaluate the potential feed back of climate change to gas-hydrate dissociation. We will analyze potential future scenarios of slope in-stability in the context of the combined effect of the removal of past ice loading, ongoing temperature change, and stability of the geological elements of the continental margin system.
Building Materials are a basic need, which is often difficult to meet in developing countries. Concrete is the building material best suited to meet these demands, although cement, the central ingredient is often disproportionately expensive in developing counties. The most promising option to lower costs (and environmental impact) is to blend conventional Portland cement with pozzolanic materials. The aim of this project is to develop technologies appropriate for the small scale, local production of pozzolans from clay (a material widely available) in conjunction with the exploitation of waste biomass for combined heat and power production. The modular concept of a clay activation unit, CAU to be coupled with a biomass boiler, will give the flexibility to adapt the solution to local conditions. We have already demonstrated that relatively common (low grade) clayey soils can be activated to give a pozzolan similar in performance to fly ash (from coal fired electricity production) widely used in the developed world. Results also indicate that it is possible to improve their reactivity by using and optimizing flash calcination, to allow high levels of substitution and very significant improvements in cost/performance ratio. To achieve this we need also to look at the performance of the activated clays in concrete from the point of view of rheology, hardening and durability to enable optimum cost/performance to be achieved according to local materials and applications. The partnership between LMC, EPFL and two academic groups in Cuba has already been established in a previous project. Furthermore, one of the Cuban partners plays a leading role in ECOSUR (a Swiss NGO) which has established workshops, producing low cost building materials, in many developing countries. In the first part of the project significant scientific advances were made, which enabled a huge acceleration in progress, relative to previous work by the Cuban partners alone. In addition, 3 Cuban PhD students spent several months working in the Swiss laboratory and have now returned to Cuba to continue their research. In this project, funding is requested for one PhD student to be based in Switzerland, who will work closely with 3 Cuban PhD Student (funded be the Cuban government). On the Cuban side, funds are requested for essential equipment and to fund the stays of the students at EPFL. Each of the Cuban students will spend 4-8 months working at EPFL during the course of the project.
Objective: The constitution of the common European market is accompanied by continuously increasing cross-border goods and passenger traffic. Road transportation is facing a rapidly increasing congestion whilein the contrary the available capacities in railway transportation as well as inland waterwaytransportation are being underutilised. A redistribution of the carriage of goods is urgently needed, but up to now the most important obstacles consists in the incompatible interfaces between the various carriers and the diversity of loading devices being used in the EU. Main objective of the project is the development of new intermodal loading units including devices (ISO-bulk container and Roll-off container), capable adaptors and mobile fixtures suitable for the trimodal transport of bulk and packaged goods at road, railway and inland waterways. Essential element of the project is the design and integration of innovative adaptors for lifting and shifting operations of the loading units. This will lead to an optimum on intermodal compatibility. The goals are in conformity with the aims of the Specific Programme 'Sustainable Surface Transport', research domain 3.16. 'Development of equipment for fast loading / unloading of intermodal transport units'. By application of the new loading units the logistic chain can be set up without changing the loading unit throughout the whole door-to-door transport process. The transhipping procedures do not require crane technology any more and the costs will be reduced substantially. The uniformity of the specialinternal features as well as the compliance with the ISO-container dimensions will contribute to the harmonisation of loading units. The projects includes the development of containers, adaptors and mobile units, test and demonstration of two prototypes and dissemination and exploitation of the results. The consortium consists of ten partner with six SMEs from five countries (G, HU, CH, A,CR)
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