Biodiversity Exploratories
(Photo: Anna Roeder)
About The Project:
The Biodiversity Exploratories (DFG Priority Programme 1374) are a large research platform for studying the effects of land-use on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. In the framework of the Biodiversity Exploratories we investigate land-use effects on longevity and stem anatomical traits of perennial dicotyledonous species in grasslands.
Life span is a key demographic trait important for the life history of plant species, the persistence and stability of plant populations and plant species` response to environmental changes. We use growth ring analysis to study the longevity for a large number of perennial dicotyledonous forb species in grasslands. We also measure stem anatomical traits related to functions such as transport, storage and mechanical support.
Major Research Questions:
- How does land use and biodiversity affect the average age of individuals of a large number of dicotyledonous forb species in grassland?
- Does land use and diversity of grasslands influence the spectrum and distribution of life spans in plant populations of four selected frequent forb species? And is the distribution of life spans related to species abundances and the temporal stability of plant populations?
- Does land-use, diversity and regional differences between the Exploratories affect growth ring widths and the expression of stem anatomical traits?
