Work Package 2 - Experimental Approaches

In this WP, hypotheses about cause-effect relationships of stressor responses in aquatic ecosystems are experimentally tested and processes are experimentally quantified. Hereby the emphasis is on the effect of chemical and non-chemical stressors and stressor combinations in multifactorial experiments ranging from laboratory experiments (microcosms) to field experiments (mesocosms, ecosystem manipulations). For this, new research platforms are developed and applied. A central role plays the mesocosm platform MOBICOS. The experiments are coupled "hand-in-hand" with the model development in WP 1.

Key publications

Marcus, H., Wey, J. K., Norf, H. and Weitere, M. (2014). Disturbance alters the response of consumer communities towards warming: A mesocosm study with biofilm-dwelling ciliates. Ecosphere 5 (1), art 10.

Rotter, S., Heilmeier, H., Altenburger, R. and Schmitt-Jansen, M. (2013). Multiple stressors in periphyton - comparison of observed and predicted tolerance responses to high ionic loads and herbicide exposure. J. Appl. Ecol. 50 (6): 1459-1468.

WP lead

Dr. Helge Norf
Dr. Helge Norf
Department of River Ecology
UFZ Magdeburg
Helge Norf

Dr. Mechthild Schmitt-Jansen
Dr. Mechthild Schmitt-Jansen
Department of Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology
Dr. Mechthild Schmitt-Jansen