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Evaluating current European agri-environment schemes to quantify and improve nature conservation efforts in agricultural landscapes (EASY)

Research question: Agri-environment schemes play an increasingly important role in European CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) to support biodiversity and environment in agricultural landscapes. They have been implemented since 1992 and now cost a yearly 1.7 billion Euro. Still, there is no conclusive evidence that these schemes actually do contribute to the conservation of particularly biodiversity. The primary objective of this project is to evaluate the (cost-) effectiveness of European agri-environment schemes in protecting biodiversity and to determine the primary processes that determine their effectiveness. This project furthermore aims to determine how CAP may be introduced in candidate EU-members without unacceptable loss of biodiversity. It will provide simple guidelines how researchers, governmental authorities may efficiently evaluate agri-environmental measures. Aim: Agri-environment schemes have been used to protect biodiversity and environment in agricultural areas since 1992. Their effectiveness has never been reliably evaluated. This project aims to evaluate the (cost-)effectiveness of agri-environment schemes with respect to biodiversity conservation in five European countries. It will determine the proper scales that have to be addressed for conservation efforts for a range of species groups. It will determine the most important environmental factors that influence the effectiveness of the schemes. Based on this, recommendations will be made how the effectiveness of schemes may be improved and simple guidelines will be produced how ecological effects of agri-environment schemes can be evaluated efficiently by governmental authorities or other institutions. The ecological effects of the introduction of CAP in a candidate EU-member will be investigated to reduce negative side effects of anticipated land-use changes Scientific methods: We will examine the effectiveness of agri-environment schemes by surveying pairs of fields: a field with an agri-environment scheme and a nearby field that is conventionally managed. In five countries, in each country in three areas, and in each area on seven pairs of fields the species richness of birds, plants and three insect groups (pollinators, herbivores, predators) will be determined. Effects of schemes on pollination efficiency and pest control will be examined using indicator communities. Correlative studies will examine the effects of landscape structure, land-use intensity and species pool on the effectiveness of agri-environmental measures. The spatial scale that is relevant to nature conservation efforts will be investigated via the spatial distribution of species groups. The results will be used to formulate recommendations how to improve the effectiveness of agri-environment schemes and to construct a set of simple guidelines how schemes can be evaluated efficiently yet reliably.

Forschergruppe (FOR) 1525: INUIT - Ice Nuclei research UnIT, Central Coordination and Administration of the INUIT research unit

Funds for the central coordination of the research unit 'INUIT' (Ice Nucleation research UnIT) are requested within this proposal. The project serves the coordination and administration of the research unit as well as the promotion of cooperation and communication among the individual scientific projects of the unit. An annual status seminar is organized and conducted within this project. The funds for measures to promote gender equality are managed and measures for training of young researchers are coordinated. Within the project special sessions at international conferences or publication of special issues are initiated. A central data base to store and provide the data from all the various field and laboratory activities to all members of the research unit is maintained within the project. A comprehensive inter-comparison of the results of the ice nucleating properties of the common set of test aerosols studied by the various methods is conducted. An INUIT web page is set up and maintained. To support the INUIT spokesperson in conducting these tasks, staffing for a halftime position of a scientific administrator is applied for.

Schwerpunktprogramm (SPP) 1530: Flowering time control: from natural variation to crop improvement, Unravelling the role of an autonomous pathway component in FTi control in Arabidopsis and barley

We will compare the role of an RNA-binding protein in floral transition in Arabidopsis thaliana and Hordeum vulgare. The RNA-binding protein AtGRP7 promotes floral transition mainly by downregulating the floral repressor FLC via the autonomous pathway. Based on our observation that AtGRP7 affects the steady-state abundance of a suite of microRNA precursors, we will globally compare the small RNA component of the transcriptome during FTi regulation in wild type plants and AtGRP7 overexpressors by deep sequencing. This will extend the knowledge on small RNAs associated with floral transition and provide insights into the regulatory network downstream of this RNA-binding protein. Further, we will address the question how AtGRP7 orthologues function in crop species lacking FLC homologues. A barley line with highly elevated levels of the AtGRP7 orthologue HvGR-RBP1 shows accelerated FTi and preanthesis development when compared to a near-isogenic parent with very low expression of this gene. We will characterize in detail flowering of this line with respect to different photoperiods and its vernalization requirement. We will employ a TILLING approach to further delineate the function of HvGR-RBP1 in flowering. A candidate gene approach to identify downstream targets will provide insights into the signaling pathways through which HvGR-RBP1 influences FTi. This project contributes to the development of a functional cross-species network of FTi regulators, the major strategic aim of the SPP.

Forschergruppe (FOR) 1740: Ein neuer Ansatz für verbesserte Abschätzungen des atlantischen Frischwasserhaushalts und von Frischwassertransporten als Teil des globalen Wasserkreislaufs, Variation of the fresh water in the western Nordic Seas

The goal of this project is to capture and analyse fluctuations of the fresh water in the western Nordic Seas and to understand the related processes. The East Greenland Current in the Nordic Seas constitutes an important conduit for fresh water exiting the Arctic Ocean towards the North Atlantic. The Arctic Ocean receives huge amounts of fresh water by continental runoff and by import from the Pacific Ocean. Within the Arctic Ocean fresh water is concentrated at the surface through sea ice formation. The East Greenland Current carries this fresh water in variable fractions as sea ice and in liquid form; part of it enters the central Nordic Seas, via branching of the current and through eddies. It controls the intensity of deep water formation and dilutes the water masses which result from convection. The last decades showed significant changes of the fresh water yield and distribution in the Nordic Seas and such anomalies were found to circulate through the North Atlantic. In this project the fresh water inventory, its spatial distribution and its pathways between the East Greenland Current and the interior Greenland and Icelandic seas shall be captured by autonomous glider missions. The new measurements and existing data will, in combination with the modeling work of the research group, serve as basis for understanding the causes of the fresh water variability and their consequences for the North Atlantic circulation and deep water formation.

Native plants and mycorrhizal fungi in wind erosion control in the Kailash-Manasarovar region (Tibet, China)

We study the effects of plants and root-associated fungi on wind erosion within the alpine environment of Tibet. China is one of the countries most affected by desertification processes and Tibet, in particular, a key region in desertification combat. The presented project focuses on the Barkha Plain surrounded by Mount Kailash and the Lake of Manasarovar (Ngari Prefecture). This Western Tibet region experienced little scientific attention but, nowadays, faces rapidly increasing touristic activities and expanding local settlements associated with socio-economic changes that are serious threats to the delicate ecological balance and potential triggers of desertification. It exists almost unanimous agreement that revegetation is the most efficient and promising strategy to combat wind erosion and desertification in the long term. However, re-colonising success is often poor, mainly under extreme environmental conditions. Compared to conventional practices, the approach of the presented project attains better accordance with natural succession processes and promises acceleration of both plant and soil development and, conclusively, more efficient desertification control. The project assesses the potential of native plants and symbiotic fungi to control wind erosion and desertification processes. It aims to identify key plants and fungi that increase soil aggregate stability and efficiently drive succession into a natural and self-maintaining cycle of the ecosystem. Furthermore, it provides crucial information for implementing environmentally compatible and cost-effective measures to protect high-elevation ecosystems against desertification. Within three successional stages (early, intermediate, late), field investigations are performed on the basis of Modified-Whittaker plots. Classic methods of vegetation analysis and myco-sociology are combined with analysis of distribution patterns at different scales (patchiness, connectivity). Comprehensive soil analysis is performed comprising grain size distribution, aggregate stability, pH as well as water and nutrient contents. Additionally, important parameters of wind erosion are measured concurrently and continuously to assess their magnitude and variability with respect to vegetation and soil at different levels of development. The parameters addressed, include sediment transport, air temperature, radiation, precipitation, relative humidity as well as speed and direction of wind. Surface moisture is recorded periodically and roughness described. Species and environmental parameters are checked for spatial correlation. Cutting edge technologies are applied in laboratory work, comprising molecular methods for fungal species identification and micro-tomography to analyse soil structure. Furthermore, successfully cultivated fungi and plants are subject of synthesis experiments and industrial propagation in view of practical implementation in restoration measures.

Hintergrundwerte für den vorbeugenden Bodenschutz

Die Fragestellung der Hintergrundwerte bezieht sich i.d.R. auf Gruppen von Parametern, die für den vorbeugenden Bodenschutz relevant sind. Hierbei werden bodenanalytische Daten erhoben und ausgewertet. Es sind Fremddaten und im Labor des LUNG M-V erhobene Daten (Meß-Rohdaten, kombinierte Daten, Meßreihen, statistische Aussagen über Daten). Sie sind verteilt abgelegt in Laborbüchern, Rohdatenfiles der Meßgeräte, Spreadsheet-Daten. Es handelt sich um bodenchemische Daten. Die Daten sind ausgewertet und bewertet und in einem Bericht (ggf. Zwischenberichten) abgelegt.

Untersuchungen des Tagesgangs verschiedener Spurengase mit Hilfe der solaren Absorptionsspektroskopie im infraroten Spektralbereich im tropischen Westpazifik (TROPAC)

Der Ozean im Westpazifik ist mit Temperaturen von ganzjährig 30°C der wärmste Ozean der Welt. Im tropischen Westpazifik ist die Lufttemperatur der Grenzschicht weltweit am höchsten und die Ozonkonzentration am niedrigsten. Aufgrund der allgemeinen Advektion der Luftmassen in der unteren und mittleren Troposphäre aus dem Osten durch die Walker-Zirkulation über den Pazifik befindet sich die Luft über dem tropischen Westpazifik für längere Zeit in einer sauberen, warmen und feuchten Umgebung. Der Abbau von reaktiven Sauerstoff- und Ozonvorläufern wie NOx findet daher länger als anderswo in den Tropen, was zu sehr niedrigen Ozonkonzentrationen führte. Dies erhöht die Lebensdauer von kurzlebigen biogenen und anthropogenen Spurengasen. Darüber hinaus begünstigen hohe Meeresoberflächentemperaturen eine starke Konvektion im tropischen Westpazifik, was zu niedrigen Ozonmischungsverhältnissen in den konvektiven Ausflussgebieten in der oberen Troposphäre führen kann. Der Warmpool im Westpazifik ist auch eine wichtige Quellregion für stratosphärische Luft. Daher fallen die Region, in der die Lebensdauer kurzlebiger Spurengase erhöht ist, und die Quellregion der stratosphärischen Luft zusammen. Somit bestimmt die Zusammensetzung der troposphärischen Atmosphäre in dieser Region in hohem Maße auch die globale stratosphärische Zusammensetzung.Ozon ist aufgrund von Rückkopplungsprozessen zwischen Temperatur, Dynamik und Ozon ein wichtiges Spurengas in der Klimaforschung. Da der Warmpool im Westpazifik die Hauptquellenregion für stratosphärische Luft ist, ist die Kenntnis von Ozon und anderen kurzlebigen Spurengasen auch wichtig, um den Transport von Spurengasen in die Stratosphäre zu verstehen.Ziel unseres Projektes ist die Messung des Tagesgangs von Ozon und anderen Spurengasen mit Hilfe der hochauflösenden solaren Absorptions-FTIR-Spektroskopie. Die Messungen liefern die Gesamtsäulendichten von bis zu 20 Spurengasen. Für einige Spurengase erlaubt die Analyse der Spektrallinienform die Ableitung der Konzentrationsprofile in bis zu etwa vier atmosphärischen Höhenschichten. Ergänzt werden die Beobachtungen durch Ozonballonsondierungen, kontinuierliche Messungen der UV-Strahlung, und Modellrechnungen mit einem Chemie-Transport-Modell. Die Messungen sind für den Zeitraum August bis Oktober 2022 geplant, die Auswertung und Interpretation von November 2022 bis Januar 2023.

Schwerpunktprogramm (SPP) 1158: Antarctic Research with Comparable Investigations in Arctic Sea Ice Areas; Bereich Infrastruktur - Antarktisforschung mit vergleichenden Untersuchungen in arktischen Eisgebieten, Biogene Opalisotope - neue Proxies zur Untersuchung vergangener Nährstoffkreisläufe und hydrographischer Strukturen im Südpazifik in Beziehung zu der Entwicklung des Klimas und der antarktischen Kryosphäre

Der Verlauf der atmosphärischen CO2-Konzentrationen während der vergangenen Klimazyklen ist durch ein Sägezahnmuster mit Maxima in Warmzeiten und Minima in Kaltzeiten geprägt. Es besteht derzeit Konsens, dass insbesondere der Süd Ozean (SO) eine Schlüsselfunktion bei der Steuerung der CO2-Entwicklung einnimmt. Allerdings sind die dabei wirksamen Mechanismen, die in Zusammenhang mit Änderungen der Windmuster, Ozeanzirkulation, Stratifizierung der Wassersäule, Meereisausdehnung und biologischer Produktion stehen, noch nicht ausreichend bekannt. Daten zur Wirkung dieser Prozesse im Wechsel von Warm- und Kaltzeiten beziehen sich bislang fast ausschließlich auf den atlantischen SO. Um ein umfassendes Bild der Klimasteuerung durch den SO zu erhalten muss geklärt werden, wie weit sich die aus dem atlantischen SO bekannten Prozesswirkungen auf den pazifischen SO übertragen lassen. Dies ist deshalb von Bedeutung, da der pazifische SO den größten Teil des SO einnimmt. Darüber hinaus stellt er das hauptsächliche Abflussgebiet des Westantarktischen Eisschildes (WAIS) in den SO dar. Im Rahmen des Projektes sollen mit einer neu entwickelten Proxy-Methode Paläoumwelt-Zeitreihen an ausgewählten Sedimentkernen von latitudinalen Schnitten über den pazifischen SO hinweg gewonnen werden. Dabei handelt es sich um kombinierte Sauerstoff- und Siliziumisotopenmessungen an gereinigten Diatomeen und Radiolarien. Es sollen erstmalig die physikalischen Eigenschaften und Nährstoffbedingungen in verschiedenen Stockwerken des Oberflächenwassers aus verschiedenen Ablagerungsräumen und während unterschiedlicher Klimabedingungen beschrieben werden. Dies umfasst Bedingungen von kälter als heute (z.B. Letztes Glaziales Maximum) bis zu wärmer als heute (z.B. Marines Isotopen Stadium, MIS 5.5). Die Untersuchungen geben Hinweise zur (1) Sensitivität des antarktischen Ökosystems auf den Eintrag von Mikronährstoffen (Eisendüngung), (2) Oberflächenwasserstratifizierung und (3) 'Silicic-Acid leakage'-Hypothese, und tragen damit zur Überprüfung verschiedener Hypothesen zur Klimawirksamkeit von SO-Prozessen bei. Die neuen Proxies bilden überdies Oberflächen-Salzgehaltsanomalien ab, die Hinweise zur Stabilität des WAIS unter verschiedenen Klimabedingungen geben. Darüber hinaus kann die Hypothese getestet werden, nach der der WAIS während MIS 5.5 vollständig abgebaut war. Die Projektergebnisse sollen mit Simulationen mit einem kombinierten biogeochemischen (Si-Isotope beinhaltenden) Atmosphäre-Ozean-Zirkulations-Modell aus einem laufenden SPP1158-DFG Projekt an der CAU Kiel (PI B. Schneider) verglichen werden. Damit sollen die jeweiligen Beiträge der Ozeanzirkulation und der biologischen Produktion zum CO2-Austausch zwischen Ozean und Atmosphäre getrennt und statistisch analysiert werden. Informationen zu Staubeintrag, biogenen Flussraten, physikalischen Ozeanparametern und zur Erstellung von Altersmodellen stehen durch Zusammenarbeit mit anderen (inter)nationalen Projekten zur Verfügung.

Discursive fragmentation of the international forest regime complex: Towards a better understanding of multi-level forest policy discourses

This subproject aims to analyze the fragmentation of forest policy at both an international and national level for the selected countries, employing a discourse analysis approach. It is split into two sub-subprojects (SSPs). 'SSPa' conducts an analysis of discursive genealogies of forest policy in Germany, Sweden, and the US. 'SSPb' investigates the history of forest related discourses in three global environmental policy processes (UNFF, CBD, and UNFCCC). In doing so, both SSPs follow a three step procedure: In the first work package, relevant literature is reviewed and a theoretical and analytical framework is developed. In the second work package, empirical data (mostly formal and informal policy documents) are gathered and analyzed. In the third work package, emphasis is placed on the role of political 'elites' in the creation of fragmented forest policy discourses at different levels; in-depth interviews with policy stakeholders and experts add another perspective to the analysis in this work package. The project is expected to develop a new understanding not only of the fragmentation of multi-level and multi-sector forest policy discourses, but also of the way in which 'discourse elites' interact with and within these discourses. The results of the work packages will be published in peer reviewed journals and discussed with policy stakeholders and scientists in conferences and workshops.

Transport of EINP through soil affected by the dynamics of infiltration flux and particle properties

In this project we experimentally explore the transport of engineered inorganic nanoparticles (EINP) through soils. This is done for original EINPs and some pre-aged form. Transport of NPs in soil is expected to be different from that of reactive solutes, in that hydrodynamic drag, inertial and shear forces as well as the affinity to water-gas interfaces are expected to be more relevant. Hence, the mobility of EINPs in soil is highly sensitive to the morphology of the porous structure and the dynamics of water saturation.This project provides the pore network structure for natural soils using X-ray micro-tomography to allow for an up-scaling of pore-scale interactions explored by project partners to the scale of soil horizons. The pore structure is represented by a network model suitable for pore scale simulations including the dynamics of water-gas interfaces.Pore network simulations will be compared to column experiments for conservative tracers as well as for unaltered and pre-aged EINPs (obtained from INTERFACE). This includes steady state flow scenarios for saturated (ponding) and unsaturated conditions as well as for transient flow to explore the impact of moving water-gas interfaces. The final goal is to arrive at a consistent interpretation of experimental findings and numerical simulations to develop a module for modelling EINP transfer through soil as a function of particle properties, soil structural characteristics and external forcing in terms of flux boundary conditions.

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